Illinois notice periods
A Illinois landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. There is no separate statutory notice period for rent increases; the month-to-month termination notice is the practical minimum. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 5-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction.
The Illinois rules in detail
30 days' written notice for a month-to-month tenancy (any tenancy for a term under one year other than week-to-week); 7 days for week-to-week (735 ILCS 5/9-207). The statute is written in terms of landlord notice; tenant notice of 30 days follows the same period by lease and common practice.
No statewide statutory notice period for rent increases; in practice landlords give at least 30 days consistent with the month-to-month termination notice in 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Chicago and some other municipalities set their own rent-increase notice rules.
5 days. The tenant may cure by paying everything owed within the period; after that the landlord may file for eviction.
Serving the notice
- Notice must be in writing. Text messages and emails count only where the lease or statute allows electronic notice.
- The clock starts when the notice is delivered, not when it is written. Mailed notices usually add days; check the statute’s service rules.
- Termination notices generally take effect at the end of a rental period. Served mid-month, a 30-day notice ends the tenancy at the end of the next full month.
- A fixed-term lease ends on its own date; these periods apply to month-to-month tenancies and to tenancies that continued after a lease expired.
Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-207; 735 ILCS 5/9-209.
Related Illinois rules
- Late fees: No statewide statutory cap or grace period; no statute located. Late fees must be in the lease and reasonable (unenforceable penalty if excessive). The Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705) was read in full and contains no late-fee section. The frequently cited '$20 or 20% of monthly rent, whichever is greater' rule is from the Self-Service Storage Facility Act (770 ILCS 95) and does not apply to residential rentals. Chicago (RLTO) and Cook County (RTLO) ordinances impose local caps and grace periods. Late fee calculator.
- Security deposit: No statutory limit (statewide); local ordinances such as the Chicago RLTO and Cook County RTLO impose their own rules; returned Itemized statement of damages (with paid receipts or estimates) within 30 days after the tenant vacates or the right of possession ends, whichever is later; if no compliant statement is furnished, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after the tenant vacates. Landlord is not liable if the tenant never supplies a mailing or e-mail address.. Deposit rules.
- All rules on one page: Illinois landlord and tenant law.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Illinois?
30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. 30 days' written notice for a month-to-month tenancy (any tenancy for a term under one year other than week-to-week); 7 days for week-to-week (735 ILCS 5/9-207). The statute is written in terms of landlord notice; tenant notice of 30 days follows the same period by lease and common practice.
How much notice does a tenant have to give in Illinois?
30 days’ written notice on a month-to-month tenancy. A fixed-term lease ends on its own date unless it says otherwise.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Illinois?
Illinois has no specific statute. No statewide statutory notice period for rent increases; in practice landlords give at least 30 days consistent with the month-to-month termination notice in 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Chicago and some other municipalities set their own rent-increase notice rules.
How long is a pay-or-quit notice in Illinois?
5 days. The tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full amount within that time.
Does the notice have to end on the last day of the month?
In most states, yes: a termination notice on a periodic tenancy takes effect at the end of a rental period that is at least the required number of days after service. Serving on the 15th with a 30-day requirement typically ends the tenancy at the end of the following month, not 30 days later. The calculator shows both dates.