My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Illinois
I'm moving out. I have 1-year lease without security deposit, instead I paid non-refundable move-in fee of $250 when I signed the lease a year ago.
Now, just 5 days before I'm moving out, the property management company sent me a letter requiring $350 deposit "for the elevator pads and any damage to the apartment, which will be fully refunded upon final inspection of the apartment".
My lease does not have "security deposit" anywhere. It does have my obligations to pay for damages: "Lessor may at is sole discretion charge Resident(s) what is deemed reasonable and customary to repair and/or replace any damage to Lessor’s property caused either directly by Resident or by Resident’s negligence. All charges for repairs and/or replacements must be paid within thirty days of move out."
I don't think I made any damage and I have always paid on time.
I feel that requiring me to provide a security deposit just 5 days before I'm moving out is unfair. And since they started to play such strange games, I don't like it, and I'm now afraid they will try their best to find any reason to hold this deposit. Since they already charged the move-in fee, that should already cover minor things, right? That's the reason they didn't require the security deposit in the beginning?
What are my options? Can I refuse to pay this security deposit?
If I just ignore their letter, can they sue me / send to collections / spoil my credit history?
What is the best way to handle it?
Thank you.

