Illinois landlord-tenant law.
Quick-reference on Illinois residential landlord-tenant rules, primary statute 735 ILCS 5/9, 765 ILCS 705, 765 ILCS 710, 420 ILCS 46 (radon). Below are every LeaseKit tool that applies to Illinois: calculators, templates, free checklist PDF, blog guides, and frequently asked questions.
PA 103-298 repealed 420 ILCS 46/25, added 46/26 for radon disclosure effective 2024
Illinois rules at a glance.
- Deposit cap
- No statewide cap (Chicago RLTO separate)
- Return deadline
- 30+15 days with itemization, 45 days without
- Late fee cap
- No statewide cap
- Pay-or-quit notice
- 5 days (735 ILCS 5/9-209)
- Month-to-month termination
- 30 days (735 ILCS 5/9-207)
- Rent cap
- None (local preemption, 50 ILCS 825)
Illinois documents.
Answer questions for free before the PDF.
Written for Illinois landlords.
- Illinois Lease Template, LeaseKit vs LegalZoom (Chicago RLTO + 420 ILCS 46/26 2026)โ
- Chicago RLTO Landlord Compliance Guide for 2026โ
- The Complete Illinois Landlord Legal Guide for 2026โ
- Illinois Eviction Process, 5-Day and 10-Day Notices Explainedโ
- Illinois Radon Disclosure, 420 ILCS 46/26 (not 46/25) for Tenant Leasesโ
Illinois landlord FAQ.
- What must a Illinois residential lease include?โ
- Can a Illinois landlord raise rent during a fixed-term lease?โ
- How much can a Illinois landlord charge as a security deposit?โ
- Does a Illinois lease require a lead-paint disclosure?โ
- Can a Illinois lease end early?โ
- Does a Illinois lease need to be in writing?โ
- Does a Illinois lease automatically renew?โ
- Can a Illinois tenant sublet without permission?โ
Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford. Local ordinances in major cities can add stricter rules (especially rent control, just-cause eviction, and inspection requirements). Always check the city code in addition to the state statute.
This is a quick reference, not legal advice. Illinois landlord-tenant law changes year to year. Always verify the current statute text and any local ordinances before relying on this page for a specific dispute. For contested cases, consult a Illinois-licensed attorney.
What landlords ask about IL
- What is the security deposit cap in Illinois?
- Illinois does not have a statewide statutory cap on the security deposit amount. Local ordinances in specific cities may impose caps. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
- Illinois requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
- How much notice is required for a rent increase in Illinois?
- Illinois requires 30 days of advance written notice for a rent increase. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- What is the late fee cap in Illinois?
- Illinois does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in Illinois?
- Illinois requires a 5-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois?
- Illinois requires 30 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- What mandatory disclosures does Illinois require in a lease?
- Illinois leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Radon disclosure (Illinois Radon Awareness Act, 420 ILCS 46); Utility cost disclosure (765 ILCS 735/5); Concessions disclosure (765 ILCS 730); Chicago RLTO summary attached (Chicago units). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.
- Which Illinois statute governs landlord-tenant law?
- Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) imposes stricter rules on Chicago units including security deposit interest obligations. The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: 765 ILCS 705, 710, 715, 720, 742.