Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws
This overview summarizes common Illinois landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (Illinois Compiled Statutes 765 ILCS 705). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.
Preview free$2.99/month or $19.99/year membershipCancel any time
Illinois at a glance: Security deposit limit: No statutory limit. Return deadline: 45 days; a second deadline applies to deductions. Month-to-month notice: 30 days. Source: Illinois Compiled Statutes 765 ILCS 705.
Security deposit
- Maximum deposit
- No statutory limit
- Return deadline
- 45 days; a second deadline applies to deductions
- Interest required
- See details
The rule: No statewide deposit limit. To keep any of the deposit for damage, the landlord must send an itemized statement with paid receipts within 30 days after the tenant moves out (or after the right of possession ends, if later); otherwise the full deposit is due within 45 days (765 ILCS 710/1). Since January 1, 2024 this applies to every residential landlord, whatever the number of units. Interest is owed only where the property has 25 or more units and the deposit is held more than 6 months (765 ILCS 715/1). Local ordinances can add rules.
Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.
Source read · 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715/1
Eviction notice
- Nonpayment of rent
- 5 days notice
- Lease violation
- 10 days notice
Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.
Notice to vacate
- Month-to-month lease
- 30 days notice
- Fixed-term lease
- No notice required if lease ends
Late rent fees
- Grace period
- No statewide rule on file
- Maximum late fee
- No statewide grace period or late-fee cap on file. Chicago and some other municipalities set their own limits by ordinance
Additional regulations
- Rent control
- None: state law bars local rent control (50 ILCS 825/5, 825/10)
- Landlord entry notice
- No statutory requirement
Primary statute reference: Illinois Compiled Statutes 765 ILCS 705
Sources
When to use Illinois document templates
Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable DOCX lease and notice forms built for Illinois landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the list of Illinois documents.
Common mistakes in Illinois
- Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
- Missing the security deposit return deadline (45 days; a second deadline applies to deductions)
- Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts
Frequently asked questions
-
Illinois sets no statewide security deposit limit. The return deadline is 45 days; a second deadline applies to deductions. No statewide deposit limit. To keep any of the deposit for damage, the landlord must send an itemized statement with paid receipts within 30 days after the tenant moves out (or after the right of possession ends, if later); otherwise the full deposit is due within 45 days (765 ILCS 710/1). Since January 1, 2024 this applies to every residential landlord, whatever the number of units. Interest is owed only where the property has 25 or more units and the deposit is held more than 6 months (765 ILCS 715/1). Local ordinances can add rules.
Confirm current rules in Illinois Compiled Statutes 765 ILCS 705.
-
Illinois month-to-month tenancies typically require 30 days written notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
-
Use our Illinois lease agreement generator to build a residential lease with state-structured clauses. Preview free before download.
Educational summary only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific guidance. LeaseCraft is not a law firm. Statutes change — verify requirements with official Illinois sources before relying on this information.
Ready to create your Illinois lease?
Preview free before you download.