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Illinois Lease Agreements

Create a legally compliant Illinois lease agreement that includes all state-required disclosures and clauses. Choose the document type that fits your rental situation, fill out the guided form, and download your professional PDF for $7.99.

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Residential Lease Agreement

Standard fixed-term lease for houses, apartments, condos, and other residential properties.

Includes all Illinois required disclosures and complies with Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, 765 ILCS 720; Chicago RLTO, Chicago Municipal Code §§ 5-12-010 et seq..

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Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

Flexible agreement that auto-renews monthly. Ideal for short-term or indefinite tenancies.

30 days landlord notice and 30 days tenant notice required in Illinois.

Create Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

Room Rental Agreement

Agreement for renting a single room in a shared house or apartment. Covers shared spaces and house rules.

Covers Illinois-specific habitability and entry notice requirements (No statewide statute; Chicago requires 2 days notice).

Create Room Rental Agreement

Sublease Agreement

Agreement for a tenant to sublet all or part of their rental to a new occupant.

Sublease rules in Illinois typically require landlord written consent. Document includes consent clause.

Create Sublease Agreement

Illinois Lease Law Requirements Summary

Security Deposit Limit No statutory limit (statewide); Chicago cap is 1.5 months rent
Deposit Return Deadline 45 days
Late Fee Cap No statutory cap statewide
Grace Period No statutory grace period
Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days
Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days
Entry Notice No statewide statute; Chicago requires 2 days notice
Key Statute Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, 765 ILCS 720; Chicago RLTO, Chicago Municipal Code §§ 5-12-010 et seq.

Verified against official Illinois landlord-tenant statutes. Last reviewed May 2026. How we verify our legal data.

An Illinois lease agreement is governed primarily by state landlord-tenant law, with the City of Chicago layering its own Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) on top. Illinois sets no statewide cap on security deposits, and deposit-return timelines depend on the building. Under the state Security Deposit Return Act, a landlord of a building with five or more units who withholds part of a deposit must send an itemized statement within 30 days and return the balance within 45 days; smaller buildings are not bound by that timeline. In Chicago, the RLTO adds its own deposit rules, including required interest.

Chicago also requires two days' notice before a landlord enters, while the rest of the state follows reasonable-notice practice, and month-to-month tenancies need 30 days' notice to end or change. Because the rules differ sharply between Chicago and the rest of Illinois, a written agreement that names the governing terms is especially valuable here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a written lease agreement in Illinois?

While oral agreements may be enforceable for short-term leases, Illinois law strongly favors written lease agreements. A written lease protects both landlord and tenant by clearly documenting terms, responsibilities, and required disclosures under the Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, 765 ILCS 720; Chicago RLTO, Chicago Municipal Code §§ 5-12-010 et seq.. Illinois requires landlords to include specific disclosures such as Lead-based paint disclosure (federal, pre-1978 housing) and Radon disclosure required if landlord has knowledge of radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L (Illinois Radon Awareness Act), which must be in writing.

What are Illinois's security deposit rules?

In Illinois, there is no statutory limit on security deposits. Landlords must return the deposit within 45 days after the tenancy ends. Interest on security deposits is required by state law. Deductions must be itemized in writing.

How much does a Illinois lease agreement cost?

Each lease agreement costs $7.99. Choose your document type, fill in your details through our guided form, and download your completed, Illinois-compliant PDF instantly. Re-download available for 5 days.

Does Chicago have its own landlord-tenant law that overrides the lease?

Yes. Chicago has the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which applies to most Chicago rental units and provides stronger tenant protections than Illinois state law. The RLTO covers security deposit interest requirements, detailed itemization deadlines (21 days after move-out), landlord entry notice (2 days), and tenant remedies for habitability violations including rent withholding. Landlords who violate the RLTO can face significant penalties. The RLTO must be referenced in Chicago lease agreements.

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State-specific clauses, required disclosures, and professional formatting included. Download your PDF instantly for $7.99.

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