Important: Homzora is a housing research publisher, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. This article is general information about the law as published by government and court sources at the time of writing, and it may not reflect later changes or the facts of your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney and client relationship. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization in your state.
About 54.0 percent of occupied homes in the city of Chicago are rented, since the Census Bureau puts the owner occupied housing rate at 46.0% for 2020 to 2024, and the median gross rent is $1,440 a month (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago). Every one of those renters eventually moves out, and the last few weeks of a tenancy decide whether the deposit comes back and whether anything is left owing.
This guide explains the move out rules that apply in Chicago: how much notice to give, whether you can ask for an inspection before you leave, the deposit refund deadline, why a forwarding address matters, and what happens to belongings left behind.
Quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Notice from the landlord to end a month to month tenancy | 30 days in writing (longer in Chicago) |
| Itemized damage statement | Within 30 days after you move out |
| Deposit refund deadline | 45 days if no statement is given |
These summaries are simplified. Read the full explanation below, which links to each source.
Illinois move out rules
An Illinois landlord can end a tenancy of less than one year, other than week to week, with 30 days written notice (735 ILCS 5/9-207). A landlord that wants to deduct for damage must give the tenant an itemized statement of the damage and costs within 30 days after the tenant moves out; if it does not, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days (765 ILCS 710/1). A landlord found to have refused the statement, given it in bad faith, or failed to return the deposit on time owes twice the deposit plus court costs and attorney fees (765 ILCS 710/1).
Chicago move out rules
In Chicago, the landlord must return the deposit and any required interest, minus unpaid rent and damage costs, within 45 days after the tenant moves out, and must give an itemized statement of damages within 30 days (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary (2023)). A landlord ending a month to month tenancy must give 30 days notice if the tenant has lived there under six months, 60 days for six months to three years, and 120 days for more than three years (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary (2023)).
What is at stake
At the median gross rent of $1,440 a month in the city of Chicago (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago), a deposit equal to one month’s rent is about $1,440. Giving notice on time, documenting the unit, and sending a forwarding address are the simplest ways to protect that money.
Free help in Chicago
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt offers free help at 855.956.5763 (Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt). For moving and housing assistance, call 211 (211.org).
A move out timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before you sign a new lease | Check your notice deadline so you do not pay rent on two homes. |
| When you give notice | Send it in writing with proof of delivery and your forwarding address. |
| Two weeks before | Request any inspection your state allows and book movers. |
| Moving week | Clean, make small repairs, and remove every belonging. |
| Last day | Photograph each room, return all keys, and get a receipt. |
| After you leave | Mark the deposit deadline and watch for mail or email. |
A move out cleaning checklist
- Clean inside the oven, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher.
- Wipe cabinets, drawers, counters, and shelves inside and out.
- Clean bathrooms, including tub, shower, toilet, sink, and mirror.
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors, including closets.
- Patch small nail holes if the lease allows, and replace burned out bulbs.
- Remove all trash and personal items, including from storage areas.
A sample notice with your forwarding address
Date: 2026. To: [landlord]. Re: Move out from [address]. My last day in the unit will be 2026. Please send my security deposit and any itemized statement to [forwarding address] or [email]. I would like to attend any move out inspection; please tell me the date and time. Sincerely, [name].
Documenting the unit
- Walk through each room with your phone recording video, narrating the date and what you see.
- Photograph floors, walls, appliances, windows, and fixtures in good light.
- Compare the condition with your move in checklist or photos.
- Email the files to yourself so the dates are preserved.
If the deposit does not arrive
- Check that you gave a forwarding address in writing.
- Wait until the legal deadline above has passed.
- Send a written demand that cites the deadline and asks for the deposit or an itemized statement.
- Keep proof of delivery.
- Contact a free legal help office or consider small claims court if the landlord does not respond.
Utilities and mail
- Schedule utilities to end the day after your tenancy ends, so the unit has power for the final inspection.
- Photograph meter readings on your last day.
- File a change of address with the Postal Service.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, and insurer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving without giving notice in writing.
- Leaving belongings behind. Some states let landlords dispose of them quickly.
- Skipping photos. They are the best evidence of the unit’s condition.
- Not giving a forwarding address. In several states, it delays or affects your refund.
- Ignoring a damage list. Some states give you only days to respond.
Build your evidence file
Landlord and tenant disputes are usually decided by documents. Keep these together from the day you sign:
- The signed lease, every addendum, and every renewal.
- Receipts or bank records for the deposit and each rent payment.
- Dated photos and video of every room at move in and move out.
- Copies of every repair request and the landlord’s replies.
- Every notice you send or receive, with proof of delivery.
Keep copies somewhere other than your phone, such as an email to yourself, so they survive a lost device.
Fair housing
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental terms because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability (42 U.S.C. § 3604). HUD accepts complaints (HUD, File a Complaint).
Normal wear and tear
Landlords can usually deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear, but not for ordinary aging from everyday use, such as light scuffs, minor carpet wear in walkways, or faded paint. Whether a mark is wear and tear or damage depends on the facts, including how long you lived there. Clear move in and move out photos are the best way to settle the question.
Roommates moving out at different times
If roommates leave at different times, agree in writing who is responsible for which rent periods and how the deposit will be divided. The landlord usually returns one deposit for the unit at the end of the tenancy, so a written roommate agreement prevents disputes later.
Returning keys
Return every key, fob, garage opener, and mailbox key, and get a written receipt with the date. In some states, returning the keys is treated as giving up possession, which can affect deadlines and what happens to anything left behind.
Breaking a lease versus ending it on time
The rules above assume you are leaving at the end of a lease or after proper notice on a month to month tenancy. Leaving before a fixed term lease ends raises different questions, such as whether you owe rent until the unit is rerented. If your move date falls before your lease end date, read the breaking a lease guide for your city before you give notice, and try to negotiate a written release with the landlord.
Pets and move out charges
If you had a pet, pay extra attention to floors, doors, blinds, and yards. Clean or treat carpets if the lease requires it, repair scratches you can fix, and photograph the result. Ask the landlord in writing what pet related cleaning it expects before you move out, so there are no surprises on the deduction list.
Compare the scope of moving and storage services
Prepare a service list before comparing moving quotes. Distinguish packing, loading, transport, unloading, furniture preparation, and removal of packing materials. Ask which tasks the particular quote includes and which require a separate booking. A price for labor does not necessarily include a vehicle, and a transport arrangement does not necessarily include packing. Record the answer for each provider instead of comparing headline figures that describe different jobs.
Describe the items and access conditions accurately when requesting a quote. Use your own measurements and the property’s confirmed arrangements rather than guessing. Note where the provider has asked for additional information and do not mark a quote as complete until that question has been answered. If the inventory or scope changes, obtain an updated description and price. Keep the earlier version so that you can see what changed.
For a hypothetical comparison, one offer might include loading and unloading while another covers loading only. The lower figure is not a complete saving until you account for the missing work. Build a table with one row for each service and a separate row for any costs that remain unknown. An unknown amount should stay visibly unknown rather than being entered as zero merely to finish the calculation.
If storage is part of your plan, compare the expected period, access arrangements, transport to and from the facility, and any additional charges disclosed in the actual quote. Decide which items you will need to retrieve and how they will be identified. A box location list can prevent an important item from being placed behind everything else. Confirm the relevant provider’s current terms before booking. For moves between states, the federal moving checklist linked below provides a separate reference for organizing the transport documents.
For interstate moving paperwork, consult the FMCSA moving checklist. Its scope is transport between states, rather than every local moving or loading arrangement.
For related practical planning, visit the city housing hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be charged for cleaning?
Often, if the unit is left dirtier than when you moved in, beyond normal wear and tear. Clean thoroughly and photograph the result to limit cleaning charges.
Do I have to be at the move out inspection?
Usually you do not have to be, but attending lets you see any problems and respond. Where your state gives you a right to an inspection or to be present, use it.
What if I left something behind?
Contact the landlord in writing immediately and ask to retrieve it. The rules above explain how long, if at all, the landlord must hold it.
Legal notice
Homzora is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws, court rules, and local programs change, and how they apply depends on your facts. Before you act on anything in this article, confirm the current rules with the court, a licensed attorney, or a legal aid organization.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago
- 735 ILCS 5/9-207
- 765 ILCS 710/1
- City of Chicago, RLTO Summary (2023)
- Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
- 211.org
- 42 U.S.C. § 3604
- HUD, File a Complaint