Illinois Security Deposit Return Law & Letter
In Illinois, the deposit and an itemized statement are generally due generally within 30–45 days, depending on itemization and building size (765 ILCS 710). Build the letter below — deductions listed line by line and the refund math done.
765 ILCS 710 — the deadline to return the deposit and send the itemized statement
Illinois provides for the deposit’s return generally within 30–45 days, depending on itemization and building size (765 ILCS 710). Its shortest count, 30 days, sits mid-range: 8 of the 26 states verified here are shorter, 5 are longer.
| Tenancy ends | 30 days — if for the itemized statement with receipts, in a covered building | 45 days — if for the refund itself; the requirements vary with building size |
|---|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | March 2, 2026 | March 17, 2026 |
| April 15, 2026 | May 15, 2026 | May 30, 2026 |
| July 31, 2026 | August 30, 2026 | September 14, 2026 |
| November 30, 2026 | December 30, 2026 | January 14, 2027 |
What the Illinois letter has to contain
- Every deduction on its own line. Illinois requires an itemized statement rather than a lump sum (765 ILCS 710).
- The arithmetic, shown. Deposit held, each deduction, and the balance refunded or still owed — so nothing has to be taken on trust.
- Where the refund went. The forwarding address you sent it to, and how.
Proving you sent it in time
The deadline is about when the letter left, and in a dispute that is the fact in question. Email gives you a timestamp for nothing; certified mail gives you a receipt. Either beats posting it second class and hoping. Whatever you use, keep the copy you sent — an Illinois deadline you met but cannot evidence is not much better than one you missed.
Working out what you can defensibly deduct is a separate job from writing the letter — that lives on the Illinois deduction page, which prorates each item by its remaining useful life.
Other states: Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · All states
Illinois rule last checked 2026-07-23 against 765 ILCS 710. General information, not legal advice — verify the current statute before you rely on it.
Everything else we’ve researched about Illinois
Same state, the problems either side of this one. Each carries its own statute and the date we last checked it.
Questions people ask
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
- In Illinois, the security deposit and an itemized statement of any deductions are generally due generally within 30–45 days, depending on itemization and building size (765 ILCS 710). Missing the deadline can forfeit the right to withhold and expose the landlord to added damages. Confirm the current statute for your situation.
- Do deductions have to be itemized?
- Yes — in nearly every state a landlord must provide an itemized statement listing each deduction, not a vague lump sum. This generator lists each deduction on its own line with an amount and does the refund math.
- Is the letter generator free?
- Yes — free, no signup. It itemizes deductions, does the refund math, cites the state deadline, and can email the PDF so the timestamp documents timely delivery.