Illinois security deposit deadline
In Illinois, a landlord who wants to keep part of your deposit for damage has 30 days to send an itemized statement with paid receipts. Without one, the statute says the full deposit must come back within 45 days of move-out. Double damages need a court finding.
| Deadline | Itemized statement of damage, with paid receipts (needed to keep anything for damage): 30 days, 30 days after you vacated or your right of possession ended, whichever is later. 765 ILCS 710/1(a) Full refund, if no statement and receipts were furnished in time: 45 days, 45 days after you vacated. 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
|---|---|
| If the landlord misses it | Illinois's statute says that if no statement and receipts are furnished as required, the landlord “shall return the security deposit in full within 45 days of the date that the lessee vacated the premises.” 765 ILCS 710/1(a) The doubling is not automatic. It follows “upon a finding by a circuit court” that the landlord refused to supply the statement, or supplied it in bad faith, and failed or refused to return the deposit due within the time limits. 765 ILCS 710/1(c) |
| Penalty | On a finding by a circuit court that the landlord refused to supply the itemized statement, or supplied it in bad faith, and failed or refused to return the deposit due within the time limits, the landlord is liable for twice the amount of the deposit due, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 765 ILCS 710/1(c) |
| Receipts | The statement must attach the paid receipts, or copies, for each repair or replacement. If the landlord gives estimated costs instead, it must send copies of the paid receipts within 30 days of the statement. If receipts are unavailable through no fault of the landlord, other evidence of cost and a verified explanation are allowed. If a written lease sets a dollar amount for cleaning, repairing or replacing a part of the unit or building, the landlord may withhold that amount instead; it must be for damage beyond normal wear and tear, and the statement must reference it and include a copy of that part of the lease. 765 ILCS 710/1(a), (b) |
| Your steps | Give the landlord a mailing address or an email address. The statute says that if you do not, the landlord “shall not be held liable for any damages or penalties as a result of the lessee's failure to provide an address.” 765 ILCS 710/1(a) The landlord delivers the statement in person, by postmarked mail to your last known address, or by email to a verified address you gave. 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
| Small claims | Small claims limit: $10,000. Check with your court. |
- Renting in Chicago? The city's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Municipal Code ch. 5-12) adds its own deposit rules, interest and penalties for most units. This checker shows the state statute only.
Check your own dates
Sources
- 765 ILCS 710 (Illinois General Assembly)
- 765 ILCS 710/1 (FindLaw)
- Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (City of Chicago)
Checked against the statute text on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. General information, not legal advice.