General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- For a required repair costing no more than $500 or half a month of rent, whichever is less, a tenant may give written notice and, if the landlord does not act within 14 days, have it done and deduct the paid bill from rent.
- A landlord may not end a tenancy, raise rent, cut services or refuse to renew because a tenant complained about code violations, asked for repairs or joined a tenant union, and protected activity within one year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation.
- To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must send an itemized statement within 30 days after move out; otherwise the full deposit is due within 45 days.
- There is no statewide statute on entry notice, so the lease controls, and some cities, including Chicago, set their own notice rules.
Illinois has no single landlord and tenant code. Rights come from several separate acts covering deposits, repairs, retaliation and domestic violence, and Chicago and Cook County add detailed local ordinances on top.
Illinois landlord-tenant rights at a glance
| Rule | Illinois | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Notice before entry | There is no statewide statute on entry notice, so the lease controls, and some cities, including Chicago, set their own notice rules. | Illinois law (no statewide entry statute) and local ordinances |
| Tenant repair remedies | For a required repair costing no more than $500 or half a month of rent, whichever is less, a tenant may give written notice and, if the landlord does not act within 14 days, have it done and deduct the paid bill from rent. | Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/5) |
| Retaliation protection | A landlord may not end a tenancy, raise rent, cut services or refuse to renew because a tenant complained about code violations, asked for repairs or joined a tenant union, and protected activity within one year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation. | Landlord Retaliation Act (765 ILCS 721) |
| Deadline to return the deposit | To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must send an itemized statement within 30 days after move out; otherwise the full deposit is due within 45 days. | 765 ILCS 710/1 |
Repairs and habitability
Every residential tenancy comes with a duty to keep the home safe and livable. Put repair requests in writing and keep a dated record of each step.
Tenant repair remedies. For a required repair costing no more than $500 or half a month of rent, whichever is less, a tenant may give written notice and, if the landlord does not act within 14 days, have it done and deduct the paid bill from rent. (Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/5))
Entry and privacy
Notice before entry. There is no statewide statute on entry notice, so the lease controls, and some cities, including Chicago, set their own notice rules. (Illinois law (no statewide entry statute) and local ordinances)
Retaliation
Retaliation protection. A landlord may not end a tenancy, raise rent, cut services or refuse to renew because a tenant complained about code violations, asked for repairs or joined a tenant union, and protected activity within one year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation. (Landlord Retaliation Act (765 ILCS 721))
Rent, late fees and grace periods
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
Applications and screening
Federal fair housing law applies everywhere: apply the same written criteria to every applicant, and never screen on a protected characteristic.
Screening rules. The Illinois Human Rights Act protects applicants based on source of income, including housing vouchers, as well as the federal protected classes. (Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5))
Disclosures to include with the lease
Disclosures are easiest to get right at lease signing. Other disclosures may also be required by your city or by the property itself, so check before you sign.
Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))
Required disclosures. A landlord who knows of a radon hazard in the unit generally must disclose it to current and prospective tenants. (Radon Industry Licensing Act)
Security deposits in brief
Deposit limit. Illinois law does not cap the amount of a security deposit statewide. (Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710))
Deadline to return the deposit. To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must send an itemized statement within 30 days after move out; otherwise the full deposit is due within 45 days. (765 ILCS 710/1)
Mistakes to avoid
- Entering a unit without the notice the lease or the law requires.
- Letting a written repair request sit without a reply or a plan.
- Leaving required disclosures out of the lease packet.
- Applying screening criteria differently from one applicant to the next.
- Raising rent or ending a tenancy soon after a complaint without a documented, unrelated reason.
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General information, not legal advice.
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
- Illinois law (no statewide entry statute) and local ordinances
- Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/5)
- Landlord Retaliation Act (765 ILCS 721)
- 765 ILCS 710/1
- Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5)
- Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d)
- Radon Industry Licensing Act
- Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710)
Official sources
Illinois forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Asked by landlords in this state.
How much notice does a Illinois landlord give before entering?
There is no statewide statute on entry notice, so the lease controls, and some cities, including Chicago, set their own notice rules. Source: Illinois law (no statewide entry statute) and local ordinances.
What can a Illinois tenant do if repairs are not made?
For a required repair costing no more than $500 or half a month of rent, whichever is less, a tenant may give written notice and, if the landlord does not act within 14 days, have it done and deduct the paid bill from rent. Source: Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/5).
What counts as retaliation in Illinois?
A landlord may not end a tenancy, raise rent, cut services or refuse to renew because a tenant complained about code violations, asked for repairs or joined a tenant union, and protected activity within one year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation. Source: Landlord Retaliation Act (765 ILCS 721).