Chicago tenant rules: short guide

Where to send a written notice

RLTO 5-12-090

The landlord must give tenants, in writing, the name and address of the owner or manager. Send your written notices to that person.

• Keep a copy of every notice.
• Write down the date you sent it.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

Notice before a rent increase or non-renewal

RLTO 5-12-130(j)

Before raising rent or ending a lease, the landlord must give written notice. The time depends on how long you have lived there.

• Less than 6 months: at least 30 days.
• 6 months to 3 years: at least 60 days.
• More than 3 years: at least 120 days.
• This rule applies to all rental homes in Chicago, also those not covered by the rest of the RLTO.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Know Your Rights: Fair Notice Ordinance (City of Chicago)

Written repair request: 14 days

RLTO 5-12-110

For repairs, the RLTO counts 14 days from your written request to the landlord. Some tenant options start only after these 14 days.

• Before you hold back rent or pay for a repair yourself, talk to legal aid. These options have steps you must follow.
• Keep a copy of your request. Write down the date the landlord got it.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

No heat, water, gas, or power: 24 hours

RLTO 5-12-110(f)

For no heat, no running water, no hot water, no electricity, no gas, or no plumbing, the RLTO uses shorter times. Some options start 24 hours after your written notice.

• Other options start 72 hours after your written notice.
• These rules do not apply when the utility company caused the problem.
• Talk to legal aid before you hold back rent or move out.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

Landlord entry: two days' notice

RLTO 5-12-050

The landlord must give at least two days' notice before entering your unit, except in an emergency.

• The law treats entry between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM as reasonable.
• After an emergency entry, the landlord must tell you within two days.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

Retaliation is not allowed

RLTO 5-12-150

A landlord may not end your lease, raise rent, cut services, refuse to renew, or start an eviction because you asked for repairs in good faith.

• This also covers good-faith complaints to the City, like 311, and to community groups or tenant unions.
• Keep the dates. Under Illinois law, if the landlord acts within one year after a good-faith complaint, the law first assumes it is retaliation.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)
• Illinois Landlord Retaliation Act (Public Act 103-0831)

Security deposit return: 45 days

RLTO 5-12-080

The landlord must return the deposit, minus allowed deductions, within 45 days after you move out.

• To deduct for damage, the landlord must send an itemized list within 30 days after you move out, with costs and receipts.
• The landlord must pay interest each year if it holds the deposit more than six months.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

Lockouts are not allowed

RLTO 5-12-160

A landlord may not change locks, remove doors, remove your things, or shut off heat, water, or power to make you leave.

• The Chicago Police Department enforces this rule.

• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• Chicago Municipal Code, Chapter 5-12 (full RLTO text)

Chicago heat rule

Heat season is September 15 to June 1. It is heat season now.

• At least 68°F from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
• At least 66°F from 10:30 PM to 8:30 AM.
• Some buildings use one system for both heat and cooling. In those buildings, the minimum can be 64°F at all hours near the start and end of heat season.
• If each unit has its own heater, the heater must be able to keep the unit at 68°F.

• Chicago Heat Ordinance (311 knowledge base)
• Chicago Heat Ordinance (City of Chicago)

Security deposit interest rates

Latest published rate: 0.01% per year (2026).

• 2026: 0.01% per year
• 2025: 0.01% per year
• 2024: 0.01% per year

• Security Deposit Interest Rates (City of Chicago)
• Setting Interest Rate on Rental Agreement Security Deposits (City of Chicago Dept. of Finance)

Eviction enforcement

In Cook County, the Cook County Sheriff is the only entity that may physically evict a tenant from a residence (with a court order).

• Landlords cannot perform 'self-help' evictions (e.g., changing locks or using force).

• Cook County Sheriff — Eviction Procedure (Plaintiff's Guide)
• Cook County Sheriff — Eviction Procedure (Tenant's/Defendant's Guide)
• Illinois Legal Aid Online — Understanding eviction (tenant)

RLTO summary (Chicago)

The City publishes a short summary of tenant and landlord rules. Landlords must attach it to each lease.

• Summary in effect since May 1, 2024.

• Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance page (City of Chicago)
• RLTO Summary, English (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)
• RLTO Summary, Spanish (City of Chicago, revised December 2023)