Illinois Landlord-Tenant Law Guide
Key landlord-tenant laws in Illinois covering security deposits, notice requirements, evictions, and maintenance obligations.
Legal Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information was last reviewed on 2026-03-19.
Security Deposits
- Maximum Amount
- No statewide statutory maximum. Chicago limits deposits to 1.5 months’ rent under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO).
- Return Deadline
- Landlord must provide an itemized statement of deductions within 30 days. If the landlord fails to provide a timely itemized statement, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days (765 ILCS 710). In Chicago, landlords must return deposits within 30 days with an itemized statement.
- Itemized Deduction Requirements
- Landlords must provide an itemized statement of damages with paid receipts or estimates within 30 days. In properties of 25+ units, landlords must pay interest on the deposit annually.
Rentra can help you track security deposits and generate itemized deduction statements. Learn about rent collection features
Notice Requirements
- Entry Notice
- No statewide statutory requirement. Chicago requires 2 days’ advance notice except in emergencies.
- Lease Termination Notice
- 30 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies. Week-to-week tenancies require 7 days’ notice.
- Rent Increase Notice
- 30 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies. In Chicago, landlords must provide written notice of any rent increase.
Use Rentra's communication tools to send and document required notices. Learn about communication features
Rent Rules
- Rent Control
- No rent control statewide. Illinois has a state preemption law (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825) that prohibits local rent control ordinances. Note: There have been ongoing legislative efforts to repeal this preemption.
- Late Fee Regulations
- No statewide cap. In Chicago, the RLTO limits late fees to $10/month for the first $500 of rent and 5% per month for rent over $500.
- Payment Methods
- No specific statewide requirements. Payment methods are generally governed by the lease.
Rentra supports multiple payment methods and configurable late fee rules. Learn about rent collection
Eviction Process
- Notice to Quit/Cure Period
- 5-day notice to pay rent or quit for nonpayment. 10-day notice to cure for lease violations. 30-day notice for termination of month-to-month tenancy.
- Court Filing
- Eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action filed in Circuit Court. Tenant must be served and given the opportunity to appear. Court hearing is typically scheduled within 2–3 weeks.
- Estimated Timeline
- Approximately 3–6 weeks for uncontested cases. Cook County (Chicago) cases may take longer due to court volume.
Maintenance & Habitability
- Implied Warranty of Habitability
- Yes. Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability. In Chicago, the RLTO provides specific habitability standards.
- Repair Response Requirements
- Landlords must address material defects within a reasonable time after written notice. In Chicago, the RLTO specifies 14 days for non-emergency repairs.
- Tenant Remedies
- Repair and deduct (in Chicago, up to $500 or half month’s rent); withhold rent; terminate the lease for material noncompliance; or file a complaint with local housing authorities.
Track and respond to maintenance requests efficiently with Rentra. Learn about maintenance management
Lease Requirements
- Required Disclosures
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 buildings)
- Radon hazard disclosure
- Code violation history (Chicago RLTO — pending building code violations)
- Utility disclosure (shared utilities, if applicable)
- Concession disclosure (Chicago RLTO)
- Carbon monoxide detector notice
- Lease Term Requirements
- No statutory restrictions on lease length. Leases for more than one year must be in writing.
- Required Clauses
- In Chicago, the RLTO summary must be attached to the lease. Landlords in Chicago must also provide a copy of the RLTO to tenants.
Key Statute Reference
Illinois Compiled Statutes, 765 ILCS 705 (Security Deposit Return Act); 765 ILCS 710 (Security Deposit Interest Act); 735 ILCS 5/9 (Eviction); Chicago RLTO for Chicago properties
This is the primary state statute governing landlord-tenant relationships in Illinois. For the full text, consult your state legislature's website or a legal database.
Legal Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information was last reviewed on 2026-03-19.
Manage Illinois properties with confidence
Rentra helps you stay organized with automated maintenance tracking, rent collection, and documentation — so you can focus on compliance and growth.