House & Apartment
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Security deposits

A security deposit is money a tenant pays a landlord in case there is money owed at the end of the lease. There are rules landlords must follow for holding security deposits. These resources go over them, including how a tenant gets their security deposit back.

Learn your rights (1 resources)
Getting or returning a security deposit
How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.
Guide
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Forms (2 resources)
Security deposit demand letter
A program to help you demand that your former landlord return your security deposit.
Easy Form
Security deposit complaint
A program to help you sue to get your security deposit back.
Easy Form
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Other resources for the public (11 resources)
Getting or returning a security deposit
How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.
Guide
Common eviction defenses
A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.
Text article
Building sold to a new landlord
Describes the responsibilities of landlords when buildings are sold
Text article
Rights for renters in suburban Cook County as of June 1st, 2021
A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.
Blog post
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Lawyer resources (2 resources)
Helping clients with landlord and tenant cases
A Lawyer Manual with information about Illinois private landlord-tenant law, including leases, security deposits, and evictions.
Text article
Housing law manual (2023)
This resource for lawyers gives an outline of the case law, regulations, and history relevant to housing law.
File download
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