Illinois · Security deposits · Updated Oct 2026

Illinois security deposit law

How much a landlord in Illinois can charge, the deadline to return a deposit, what may be deducted, the penalty for keeping it wrongly and how to get yours back.

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
deposit penalty
Up to 2× (bad faith)

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
Yes. 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

Get your deposit back, step by step

  1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
  5. 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 Small Claims Map

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. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Enter your deposit and move-out dateThe result appears as you type.

An estimate from the dates you enter and the rule in our data, not legal advice. We skip weekends only where the rule counts business days, and we don't skip holidays.

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 letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

We suggest 14 days.

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

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

Questions about security deposits in Illinois

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Illinois?

No statewide limit.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit 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. If you give no mailing or e-mail address, the landlord is not liable for penalties.

What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Illinois?

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.

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Illinois?

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.

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Illinois?

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.

What is the small claims limit in Illinois?

$10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000.

More for Illinois renters

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.