Illinois · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

Illinois security deposit law

In Illinois, your landlord has 45 days (list of deductions within 30) to return your deposit.

Checked against official sources: Oct 23, 2026

Short answer

In Illinois, the deposit limit is: No statewide limit. The landlord must return it as follows: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give.

deposit limit: No statewide limit
to return a deposit: 45 days (list of deductions within 30)
deposit penalty: Up to 2× (bad faith)

Get your letter ↓ Check the deadline ↓

Get your deposit back, step by step

Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Illinois: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give.
Wait for the deadline: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give.
If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000. Small claims court in Illinois on RobinClaim

Deposit return calculator for Illinois

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed.

Security deposit demand letter for Illinois

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Your full name (required)

Where should they send your money? (your mailing address) (required)

Phone

Landlord or property manager (required)

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

Landlord's address (required to mail it)

Address of the rental (required)

I will hand it to the landlord or email it (no mailing address needed)

Date of the letter

Usually today. The deadline in the letter counts from this date.

Date you moved in

Date you moved out (required)

Deposit you paid ($) (required)

Amount the landlord returned ($)

Did you get an itemized list of deductions?

Days the landlord has to pay

We suggest 14 days.

Why the deductions are wrong (optional, in English)

One or two sentences. This text goes into the letter as written.

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Other formats

Sign it, keep a copy, and send it by certified mail with a return receipt. The receipt is your proof that the landlord got it.

Security deposit in Illinois

Limit: No statewide limit.
Deadline to return it: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give. If you give no mailing or e-mail address, the landlord is not liable for penalties.
Itemized list: To keep any money for damage, within 30 days after you move out (or your right to possession ends, if later) the landlord must give you an itemized statement of the damage and the estimated or actual cost of each item, with paid receipts. If only estimates are given, receipts must follow within 30 days after the statement. Delivery can be in person, by postmarked mail, or to a verified e-mail you provided.
What may be deducted: Unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. A written lease may set fixed charges for cleaning, repair or replacement of specific items, if they are for damage beyond normal wear and tear and reasonable to restore the unit to move-in condition. The landlord may charge reasonable labor costs for repairs they do themselves.
Interest: Only if the building or complex has 25 or more units and the deposit is held more than 6 months. The rate equals the passbook savings rate of the largest Illinois bank as of December 31 of the year before your lease began. Interest of $5 or more is paid or credited within 30 days after each 12-month period, and all unpaid interest at move-out. Willful failure: the landlord owes an amount equal to the deposit plus costs and attorney fees. Not for public housing. 765 ILCS 715.
If the landlord keeps it wrongly: If a court finds the landlord refused to give the itemized statement, or gave it in bad faith, and did not return the deposit on time, the landlord owes twice the deposit due, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Law: 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715

Small claims court in Illinois

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000.

How to file in Illinois

More for Illinois renters

Security deposit in nearby states

Sources

Checked against official sources: Oct 23, 2026