How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in the City of Chicago?

45 days after the tenant vacates (Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-080).

What the statute says

The Chicago letter restates the statute this way:

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.

Statute: Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-080. Read the statute.

Last reviewed: October 2026