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Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and Other Laws



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Return of Your Security Deposit


The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires your landlord to return your security deposit in full within 45 days of the date you moved, if:
  • Your building or complex consists of 5 or more units.
  • You do not owe any back rent.
  • You cleaned the apartment before you moved.
If your landlord refuses to return all or any portion of your security deposit, he/she must give you an itemized statement of the damages along with paid receipts within 30 days of the date you moved. You can sue your landlord to recover your security deposit. If a court finds that your landlord violated the security deposit law, he/she could be liable for damages in an amount equal to two times your security deposit, court costs, and attorney's fees.

Rent Increases


In a week-to-week or month-to-month tenancy, the landlord can raise your rent by any amount if he/she gives you seven days notice for a week-to-week lease or 30 days notice for a month-to-month lease. Your landlord cannot raise your rent if you have a fixed-term lease. In other words, if you have a year lease, your landlord cannot raise your rent prior to the expiration of the lease.

Illinois does not have a rent control law. Therefore, your landlord can raise your rent as much as he/she deems necessary.

Terminating A Lease


Your landlord must notify you in writing that he/she intends to terminate the lease. If you are renting month-to-month, you are entitled to a 30-day written notice. Leases running year-to-year require a 60-day written notice.
YOUR LANDLORD DOES NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOU ANY REASON FOR TERMINATING THE LEASE.

Withholding Rent for Repairs and Payment of Utilities


You may withhold rent if the rental unit has substantial building code violations or if the landlord has failed to make repairs which were agreed upon. However, you should first:
  • Request the City Inspector to inspect for building code violations.

  • Document all defects with pictures, videos, and statements from reputable contractors.

  • Request your landlord to make the repairs within a specified time.

  • Consult an attorney about your legal rights.