Illinois security deposit law: know your rights.
Understand the return, deduction and notice rules in Illinois. Check which conditions apply to your rental, then choose your next step.
Your deposit rights in Illinois
- Return timing
- For damage deductions, the itemized statement is due within 30 days after the tenant vacates or the right of possession ends, whichever is later. If the required statement and receipts are not furnished, the full deposit is due within 45 days after vacating.
- Accounting for deductions
- Itemize property damage and estimated or actual repair costs within 30 days after vacating or the end of the right of possession, whichever is later. Paid receipts must follow estimates within 30 more days; statutory lease-cost and unavailable-receipt exceptions may apply.
- Deposit interest
- Buildings of 25+ units when the deposit is held 6+ months, under the separate Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715); Chicago RLTO imposes its own interest rule.
Registry review: July 2026. Review dates refer to the cited rules, not an attorney review of your case.
Does this rule apply to your rental?
The statewide Return Act applies without a five-unit minimum from January 1, 2024. Deposit interest has separate coverage rules; Chicago and suburban Cook County may provide additional protections. Give the landlord a mailing or email address for the accounting.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗What starts the return clock?
For damage deductions, the itemized statement is due within 30 days after the tenant vacates or the right of possession ends, whichever is later. If the required statement and receipts are not furnished, the full deposit is due within 45 days after vacating.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗Check your return timing
Optional estimate from your move-out date. Read the start conditions above before treating that estimate as the return deadline. You can start the free analysis without completing this check.
Check what the landlord deducted
Paid receipts (or copies) must accompany the itemized statement; if estimates were given, paid receipts must follow within 30 days. If receipts are unavailable through no fault of the landlord, an itemized cost list plus a verified explanation is required instead (765 ILCS 710/1(b)). The landlord's own labor must be charged at reasonable cost.
Match each charge to the work alleged, the lease provision and the records supporting the amount. Keep refunds and charges you accept separate from those you dispute.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗What could you recover?
If the landlord both refused to supply the itemized statement (or supplied it in bad faith) and failed to return the deposit due on time, they owe twice the security deposit due plus court costs and attorney's fees (765 ILCS 710/1(c)). Chicago RLTO: two times the deposit plus interest, with fees (§§ 5-12-080(f), 5-12-180).
Start with the unpaid amount you dispute. Any additional statutory recovery depends on the conditions in 765 ILCS 710/1(c), including applicable notice requirements. A multiplier that already includes the deposit should not be added to that deposit again.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗Put the rules to work
See how the rules fit your deposit dispute
Free analysis
Add the refund, charges and records. Review the deductions and possible remedies with an explanation tied to your facts.
Full case package $29-$49
Turn your case into a demand letter, organized exhibits and a next-step plan. Review the analysis before deciding to buy.
Your entered dates and deposit amount carry forward. Additional timing details are saved in case notes. The next step asks for the refund and charges so you can build on this check.
Choose your next step
Small-claims limit: $10,000. Filing: $287-$379 (Cook County, 2026 fee schedule; other counties lower). The court guide explains the applicable limits and additional costs.
Questions about Illinois deposit rights
How long does a Illinois landlord have to return a security deposit?
For damage deductions, the itemized statement is due within 30 days after the tenant vacates or the right of possession ends, whichever is later. If the required statement and receipts are not furnished, the full deposit is due within 45 days after vacating.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗See the timing rules →What happens if my landlord does not follow the deposit return rules in Illinois?
Failure to provide the statement/receipts on time means the landlord must return the deposit in full within 45 days. Keep proof of the dates, any refund, and the itemized statement.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗Understand the possible recovery →Which coverage conditions should I check in Illinois?
The statewide Return Act applies without a five-unit minimum from January 1, 2024. Deposit interest has separate coverage rules; Chicago and suburban Cook County may provide additional protections. Give the landlord a mailing or email address for the accounting.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗What accounting should I ask for in Illinois?
Itemize property damage and estimated or actual repair costs within 30 days after vacating or the end of the right of possession, whichever is later. Paid receipts must follow estimates within 30 more days; statutory lease-cost and unavailable-receipt exceptions may apply. Paid receipts (or copies) must accompany the itemized statement; if estimates were given, paid receipts must follow within 30 days. If receipts are unavailable through no fault of the landlord, an itemized cost list plus a verified explanation is required instead (765 ILCS 710/1(b)). The landlord's own labor must be charged at reasonable cost.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗What should I check about deposit interest in Illinois?
Buildings of 25+ units when the deposit is held 6+ months, under the separate Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715); Chicago RLTO imposes its own interest rule.
765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) ↗