Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Illinois, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Illinois. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | The rules below come from several Illinois acts, among them the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Security Deposit Return Act, the Security Deposit Interest Act and the Landlord Retaliation Act. Some rules apply only to certain properties, as noted below; for example, deposit interest applies only to properties with 25 or more units. 765 ILCS 705/0.01, 710/0.01, 715/0.01, 715/1, 721/1 |
| Security deposit limit | No limit set by 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or by 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. 765 ILCS 705; 765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715; 765 ILCS 721; 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX, Parts 1-2 (no provision) |
| Where deposits are held | No separate-account requirement in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. If the landlord sells, leases or otherwise transfers the property (other than to a lien holder), the new owner becomes liable to the tenant for the deposit, including statutory interest, and the former owner stays jointly and severally liable. 765 ILCS 710/1.1; 765 ILCS 705; 765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715; 765 ILCS 721; 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX, Parts 1-2 (no account provision) |
| Returning the deposit | To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within 30 days after the tenant moves out (or after the tenant's right of possession ends, if later), an itemized statement of the damage and the estimated or actual cost of repairing or replacing each item, with paid receipts or copies, by personal delivery, mail to the last known address, or email to a verified email address the tenant provided. If no statement and receipts are given as required, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after the tenant moved out. If a court finds the landlord refused to give the statement or gave it in bad faith, and did not return the deposit due on time, the landlord owes twice the deposit due plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 765 ILCS 710/1(a), (c) |
| Deposit deductions | Damage deductions must be itemized with the estimated or actual cost of repairing or replacing each item. A landlord who does the work may include the reasonable cost of the labor. If costs are estimated, paid receipts or copies must follow within 30 days after the statement. If a written lease specifies the cost for cleaning, repair or replacement of any component of the unit or of the building or common areas that, if damaged, will not be replaced, the landlord may withhold that amount; such costs must be for damage beyond normal wear and tear and reasonable to restore the unit to its condition when the lease began. 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
| Interest on deposits | Required only for properties with 25 or more units in one building or in a complex of buildings on contiguous parcels, on deposits held more than 6 months. The rate is what the largest commercial bank (by total assets) with its main banking premises in Illinois pays on minimum-deposit passbook savings accounts as of December 31 of the year before the lease began. Within 30 days after each 12-month rental period, interest of $5 or more is paid in cash or as a credit toward rent, unless the tenant is in default; all unpaid interest is paid when the tenancy ends. Does not apply to deposits for public housing. 765 ILCS 715/1, 715/2, 715/3 |
| Landlord entry notice | No notice period in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. 765 ILCS 705; 765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715; 765 ILCS 721; 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX, Parts 1-2 (no provision) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | For a tenancy of less than one year where the tenant holds over without special agreement, the landlord may end it with 30 days' written notice (week to week: 7 days' written notice). A tenancy from year to year ends at the end of the year on 60 days' written notice, which may be given at any time within the 4 months before the last 60 days of the year. 735 ILCS 5/9-207, 9-205 |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. A landlord may not knowingly raise rent because the tenant in good faith did a protected act, such as complaining of code violations, asking for required repairs, joining or organizing a tenants' union, testifying about the condition of the premises, or using any right or remedy provided by law. 765 ILCS 721/5; 765 ILCS 705; 765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715; 765 ILCS 721; 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX, Parts 1-2 (no notice provision) |
| Late fees | No limit in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. 765 ILCS 705; 765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715; 765 ILCS 721; 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX, Parts 1-2 (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | Any time after rent is due, the landlord may demand it in writing and give notice that the lease will end unless it is paid within the time in the notice, at least 5 days after service; if it is not paid, the landlord may treat the lease as ended and file for eviction without further notice. To stay valid after a partial payment, the notice must prominently state that only full payment of the rent demanded waives the landlord's right to terminate the lease, unless the landlord agrees in writing to continue the lease for partial payment. The notice may be delivered to the tenant, left with a person 13 or older living on or in possession of the premises, or sent by certified or registered mail with a return receipt; if no one is in possession, it may be posted on the premises. 735 ILCS 5/9-209, 9-211 |
| Rent control | Not allowed. Local governments, including home rule units, may not enact, maintain or enforce ordinances or resolutions that control the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property. This does not affect a local government's right to manage and control residential property in which it has a property interest. 50 ILCS 825/5, 825/10 |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing before the lease is signed, and also in the written lease or renewal signed by both parties: that the property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year floodplain), if it is, and any flooding of the property or its parking areas the landlord actually knows of, with how often it happened; for garden, basement or first-floor units, any flooding in the last 10 years and how often (farm leases, concession leases and Department of Natural Resources properties are exempt). For leases entered into on or after January 1, 2024: at application, before the lease is entered into, or during the lease on request, the state pamphlet "Radon Guide for Tenants" (or an approved equivalent), copies of any radon records or reports showing a radon hazard, and the radon disclosure form; the radon law does not apply to units on the third story or higher above ground level. Before a lease, owners of regulated facilities with dwelling units built before 1978 must give prospective tenants a copy of a state informational brochure on lead hazards. A landlord who bills tenants a share of master-metered utility service must first give the tenant the allocation formula in writing, in the lease or another written agreement. 765 ILCS 705/25; 420 ILCS 46/26, 46/20; 410 ILCS 45/9.1; 765 ILCS 740/5(a) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age (at least 40), sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, unfavorable discharge from military service, familial status, immigration status, source of income and arrest record, in rentals and leases as well as sales. 775 ILCS 5/3-102, 3-102.1, 1-103(A), (O-1), (Q), 3-101(B) |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Illinois listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Illinois?
No limit set by 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or by 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Illinois landlord have to return a security deposit?
To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within 30 days after the tenant moves out (or after the tenant's right of possession ends, if later), an itemized statement of the damage and the estimated or actual cost of repairing or replacing each item, with paid receipts or copies, by personal delivery, mail to the last known address, or email to a verified email address the tenant provided. If no statement and receipts are given as required, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after the tenant moved out. If a court finds the landlord refused to give the statement or gave it in bad faith, and did not return the deposit due on time, the landlord owes twice the deposit due plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Illinois landlord give before entering?
No notice period in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Illinois?
For a tenancy of less than one year where the tenant holds over without special agreement, the landlord may end it with 30 days' written notice (week to week: 7 days' written notice). A tenancy from year to year ends at the end of the year on 60 days' written notice, which may be given at any time within the 4 months before the last 60 days of the year. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Illinois?
No notice period in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. A landlord may not knowingly raise rent because the tenant in good faith did a protected act, such as complaining of code violations, asking for required repairs, joining or organizing a tenants' union, testifying about the condition of the premises, or using any right or remedy provided by law. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Illinois landlord charge for late rent?
No limit in 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715 or 721 or in 735 ILCS 5, Article IX, Parts 1 and 2. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Illinois landlord give when rent is unpaid?
Any time after rent is due, the landlord may demand it in writing and give notice that the lease will end unless it is paid within the time in the notice, at least 5 days after service; if it is not paid, the landlord may treat the lease as ended and file for eviction without further notice. To stay valid after a partial payment, the notice must prominently state that only full payment of the rent demanded waives the landlord's right to terminate the lease, unless the landlord agrees in writing to continue the lease for partial payment. The notice may be delivered to the tenant, left with a person 13 or older living on or in possession of the premises, or sent by certified or registered mail with a return receipt; if no one is in possession, it may be posted on the premises. See the source in the table above.
Does Illinois have rent control?
Not allowed. Local governments, including home rule units, may not enact, maintain or enforce ordinances or resolutions that control the amount of rent for private residential or commercial property. This does not affect a local government's right to manage and control residential property in which it has a property interest. See the source in the table above.
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