General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
Last reviewed
The short version
- A free Illinois edition of our lease termination letter template, as a PDF to print and a Word file to edit.
- A month-to-month tenancy ends with 30 days of written notice.
- A landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days of written notice, or a week-to-week tenancy with 7 days.
- A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders.
- Have a Illinois attorney review your final version before you use it.
A written notice that ends a tenancy, with one version for landlords and one for tenants, plus move-out and deposit details and a proof of delivery. This edition fills in the Illinois rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.
Illinois rules for this form
Month-to-month notice. A month-to-month tenancy ends with 30 days of written notice. (735 ILCS 5/9-207)
Ending a tenancy without cause. A landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days of written notice, or a week-to-week tenancy with 7 days. (735 ILCS 5/9-207)
Military service. A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act)
Domestic violence survivors. A tenant facing a credible, imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence who leaves and gives written notice within 3 days of moving out is not liable for later rent. (Safe Homes Act (765 ILCS 750/15))
Unlivable conditions. When serious conditions make the home unlivable, a tenant may have a claim for constructive eviction, and some local ordinances add termination rights. (Illinois case law and local ordinances)
Landlord duty to re-rent. When a tenant leaves early, the landlord must take reasonable steps to re-rent and reduce the damages owed. (735 ILCS 5/9-213.1)
Cities and counties in Illinois can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.
What is in the template
- Version A: landlord to tenant
- Proof of delivery
- Version B: tenant to landlord
Before you use it
- A termination letter ends a tenancy the normal way, such as at the end of a lease or with notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
- It is different from an eviction notice, which responds to unpaid rent or a lease violation.
- The notice period, delivery method and any required reason come from the lease and from state and local law.
- Keep a copy and proof of how and when you delivered it.
For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the lease termination letter.
Get the Illinois lease termination letter
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have a Illinois attorney review before use.
Verify current law
We last checked these Illinois rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Illinois attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- 735 ILCS 5/9-207
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act
- Safe Homes Act (765 ILCS 750/15)
- Illinois case law and local ordinances
- 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1
Official sources
Goes with this form
Filling it in, and what to watch for.
What does Illinois law say about month-to-month notice?
A month-to-month tenancy ends with 30 days of written notice. Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-207.
What does Illinois law say about ending a tenancy without cause?
A landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days of written notice, or a week-to-week tenancy with 7 days. Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-207.
What does Illinois law say about military service?
A tenant entering military service, or getting orders to move, can end a residential lease early with written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3955) and Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act.
What does Illinois law say about domestic violence survivors?
A tenant facing a credible, imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence who leaves and gives written notice within 3 days of moving out is not liable for later rent. Source: Safe Homes Act (765 ILCS 750/15).
What does Illinois law say about unlivable conditions?
When serious conditions make the home unlivable, a tenant may have a claim for constructive eviction, and some local ordinances add termination rights. Source: Illinois case law and local ordinances.