Security deposit return deadlines · Illinois
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
30 or 45 days
For buildings with five or more units, an Illinois landlord must send an itemized statement of damages within 30 days and otherwise return the deposit within 45 days.
Source: Illinois Security Deposit Return Act, 765 ILCS 710 · checked October 9, 2026
Calculate your Illinois deadline
What Illinois law says
- The Act covers a building or complex with five or more units; smaller rentals and city ordinances such as Chicago's may follow other rules.
- The itemized statement should include receipts or cost estimates for repairs.
- A court can award twice the deposit for a bad-faith failure to comply; it is a court remedy, not an amount owed automatically.
What to do next
- Write down the move-out date, the date you returned the keys and when you gave a forwarding address.
- Collect the lease, proof of the deposit payment, move-out photos and any messages about deductions.
- Ask in writing for the balance or an itemized explanation, with a clear reply date.
- Send it to the notice address in the lease. Certified Mail with Return Receipt gives you proof of delivery.
- If there is still no answer, small claims court is a common next step; filing rules vary by state.
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Other states
- California — 21 days
- Florida — 15 or 30 days
- Georgia — 30 days
- Michigan — 30 days
- New York — 14 days
- North Carolina — 30 days
- Ohio — 30 days
- Pennsylvania — 30 days
- Texas — 30 days