Chicago security deposit demand letter
This is the body of the letter, with your details in brackets. Sentences marked "Only if" appear only when your answers match. The letter is sent in your name.
I was a tenant at [rental address], in the City of Chicago. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit amount]. I vacated the dwelling unit on [date you vacated].
Under section 5-12-080(d) of the Municipal Code of Chicago, a landlord must, within 45 days after the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, return to the tenant the security deposit or any balance of it and the required interest. The landlord may deduct unpaid rent that has not been validly withheld, and a reasonable amount necessary to repair damage caused to the premises by the tenant or any person under the tenant's control or on the premises with the tenant's consent, reasonable wear and tear excluded. In the case of such damage, the landlord must deliver or mail to the tenant's last known address, within 30 days, an itemized statement of the damages and the estimated or actual cost of repairing or replacing each item, attaching copies of the paid receipts. If an estimated cost is given, the landlord must furnish copies of paid receipts, or a certification of actual costs if the work was done by the landlord's employees, within 30 days from the date the statement showing estimated cost was furnished.
More than 45 days have passed since I vacated.
[Only if nothing received] I have not received my deposit.[Only if partial return] I received $[amount returned] on [date returned]. I have not received the balance.[Only if no itemized statement] I have not received an itemized statement of damages.
Section 5-12-080(f)(1) provides that if the landlord fails to comply with any provision of section 5-12-080(a) through (e), the tenant shall be awarded damages in an amount equal to two times the security deposit plus interest at the rate determined under section 5-12-081.
Section 5-12-180 provides that, except in forcible entry and detainer actions, the prevailing plaintiff in any action arising out of a landlord's or tenant's application of the rights or remedies made available in the ordinance is entitled to all court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
I am requesting the return of my security deposit with the required interest.
Statute: Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-080. Read the statute.
Last reviewed: October 2026