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Chicago Landlord Compliance Calculator
Find out which ordinance applies to your property, calculate your maximum late fee, security deposit interest owed, required disclosures, and notice periods under the RLTO, Cook County RTLO, or Evanston ERLTO.
Based on the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), Cook County RTLO, Evanston ERLTO, and Illinois state law as of 2026. For informational purposes only.
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How Chicago’s RLTO Works
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is one of the most tenant-protective local ordinances in the United States. Originally enacted in 1986, the RLTO governs nearly every aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship within Chicago city limits — from security deposits and late fees to required disclosures and lockout penalties.
Unlike many states where landlord-tenant law is primarily governed at the state level, Illinois takes a layered approach. The state provides baseline protections, but Chicago, Cook County, and Evanston each have their own separate ordinances that impose additional obligations. A landlord with properties in Chicago and suburban Cook County must comply with two different sets of rules for properties that may be only miles apart.
Illinois has no rent control — it was preempted by state law in 1997 (the Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825). Landlords can set and increase rents to any amount. However, the absence of rent control does not mean the absence of regulation. Chicago’s RLTO is arguably more complex than many rent control ordinances because it imposes specific requirements on nine separate lease disclosures, precise late fee formulas, mandatory security deposit interest payments, and severe penalties for non-compliance.
The Fair Notice Ordinance
One of the most important provisions for landlords is Chicago’s Fair Notice Ordinance, which establishes tiered notice periods based on the length of tenancy. If you are declining to renew a lease or raising rent, you must provide:
- 30 days’ notice for tenancies under 6 months
- 60 days’ notice for tenancies between 6 months and 3 years
- 120 days’ notice for tenancies over 3 years
This applies to both non-renewals and rent increases. Many landlords are caught off guard by the 120-day requirement — if you have a long-term tenant and want to raise rent significantly, you need to plan four months ahead.
Late Fee Calculation
Chicago’s RLTO uses a specific formula for maximum late fees that most landlords get wrong. The maximum late fee is $10 for the first $500 of rent, plus 5% of rent above $500. For a tenant paying $2,000 per month, the maximum late fee is $10 + (5% × $1,500) = $85. Many landlords charge a flat percentage or a fixed fee that exceeds this formula, exposing themselves to penalties. Late fees cannot be charged until 5 days after the due date (the grace period).
Security Deposit Interest
Chicago requires landlords to pay annual interest on security deposits. The current rate for 2025–2026 is 0.01%, set by the City Comptroller. While the dollar amount is negligible, the obligation to pay it is not. Landlords must pay the interest within 30 days of the tenancy anniversary date each year. Failure to comply triggers a penalty of 2x the security deposit amount plus attorney’s fees — even if the interest owed was only a few cents.
2026 Changes: Safer Homes Act and Junk Fee Ban
Two significant new requirements take effect in 2026. The Illinois Safer Homes Act requires landlords to attach a state-issued Summary of Rights as the first page of every new lease. The Junk Fee Ban (effective July 2026) requires that all non-optional fees be disclosed on the first page of the lease — and tenants are not liable for any undisclosed fees. These requirements apply statewide, adding to the existing RLTO obligations for Chicago landlords.
Chicago vs Cook County vs Evanston
Three overlapping jurisdictions, three different ordinances. The rules that apply to your property depend entirely on where it sits.
| Requirement | Chicago (RLTO) | Cook County (RTLO) | Evanston (ERLTO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent Control | No (state preemption) | No (state preemption) | No (state preemption) |
| Late Fee Formula | $10 + 5% over $500 | $10 + 5% over $500 | $10 + 5% over $500 |
| Late Fee Grace Period | 5 days | 5 days | 5 days |
| Deposit Interest Required | Yes — 0.01% (2025–26) | Yes — rate varies | Yes — rate varies |
| Deposit Violation Penalty | 2x deposit + attorney fees | 2x deposit + attorney fees | 2x deposit + attorney fees |
| Deposit Return Deadline | 30 days (+ 30 days itemized statement) | 30 days | 30 days |
| Lockout Penalty | $500/day | Varies | Varies |
| Notice for Non-Renewal | 30/60/120 days (tiered) | 30 days | 60 days |
| Required Lease Disclosures | 9 documents | 3–5 documents | 5–6 documents |
Oak Park has its own tenant protection ordinance that mirrors many Chicago RLTO provisions. Properties in unincorporated Cook County follow the Cook County RTLO. Properties outside Cook County follow Illinois state law only. Always verify current local ordinances, as city and county rules may change independently.
9 Required Lease Disclosures in Chicago
Every residential lease in Chicago must include or be accompanied by these nine disclosures. Missing even one can result in penalties including the tenant’s right to terminate the lease or recover damages.
- RLTO Summary — The city-published summary of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance must be attached to every lease. This is the single most commonly missed disclosure.
- Lead Paint Disclosure — Required for all buildings built before 1978. Must include the EPA pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” and a disclosure form signed by both parties.
- Radon Disclosure — Illinois requires radon disclosure for all rental properties. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s radon guide must be provided to tenants, particularly for basement and ground-floor units.
- Bed Bug Disclosure — Landlords must disclose any known bed bug infestations in the unit or building within the past 120 days. This became mandatory under the Chicago Bed Bug Ordinance.
- Heating Disclosure — If the landlord provides heat, the lease must specify the type of heating system. If the tenant is responsible for heating costs, this must be clearly stated.
- Recycling Information — Chicago landlords must provide information about recycling services available at the property, including collection schedules and what materials are accepted.
- Security Deposit Receipt — Within 14 days of receiving the deposit, landlords must provide a receipt showing the amount received, the name and address of the financial institution holding the deposit, and the interest rate.
- Safer Homes Act Summary (2026) — New statewide requirement: a state-issued Summary of Rights must appear as the first page of every lease signed on or after January 1, 2026.
- Flood Disclosure — If the property is in a known flood zone or has experienced flooding, landlords must disclose this information before lease signing.
Missing disclosures have real consequences
Under the RLTO, failure to provide required disclosures can entitle the tenant to terminate the lease, recover actual damages, and in some cases recover attorney’s fees. For security deposit violations specifically, the penalty is 2x the deposit amount plus attorney fees — even if the landlord’s only mistake was not paying the annual interest on time.
Chicago Security Deposit Rules
Chicago’s security deposit rules are among the most prescriptive in the country. Landlords must follow each step precisely, or they risk owing the tenant twice the deposit amount plus attorney fees.
Key Requirements
- Interest-bearing account — Deposits must be held in a federally insured interest-bearing account in an Illinois financial institution.
- Receipt within 14 days — You must provide a written receipt showing the institution name, address, and account interest rate within 14 days of receiving the deposit.
- Annual interest payment — Pay interest within 30 days of the tenancy anniversary date each year. The 2025–2026 rate is 0.01%. Interest can be paid directly or credited toward rent.
- Return within 30 days — After move-out, return the deposit (minus legitimate deductions) within 30 days.
- Itemized statement within 30 days — If making deductions, provide an itemized statement within 30 days of move-out. Failure to provide the statement forfeits your right to retain any portion of the deposit.
- Penalty for violations — 2x the deposit amount plus reasonable attorney’s fees. This applies to any violation — including failing to pay the annual interest, even if the amount owed is just a few cents.
Chicago Late Fee Calculator
The RLTO caps late fees using a specific formula. Here’s what the maximum late fee looks like at common rent levels:
| Monthly Rent | First $500 Fee | 5% of Remainder | Max Late Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $10 | $0 | $10 |
| $1,000 | $10 | $25 | $35 |
| $1,500 | $10 | $50 | $60 |
| $2,000 | $10 | $75 | $85 |
| $2,500 | $10 | $100 | $110 |
| $3,000 | $10 | $125 | $135 |
Late fees cannot be charged until 5 days after the rent due date. If your lease charges more than this formula allows, the excess is unenforceable and the tenant may be entitled to recover the overcharge.
Fair Notice Ordinance
Chicago’s Fair Notice Ordinance establishes tiered notice periods for non-renewals and rent increases based on the length of the tenancy. This is one of the most commonly violated provisions because landlords often use a standard 30-day notice regardless of tenancy length.
| Tenancy Length | Required Notice | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | 30 days | Non-renewal, rent increases |
| 6 months – 3 years | 60 days | Non-renewal, rent increases |
| Over 3 years | 120 days | Non-renewal, rent increases |
120 days is 4 months ahead
If you have a long-term tenant (over 3 years) and want to raise their rent or decline to renew their lease, you need to send notice 120 days before the lease end date. For a December 31 lease expiration, that means notice must be sent by September 1. Miss this deadline and the tenancy automatically renews at the existing rent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chicago have rent control?
No. Illinois preempted all rent control at the state level in 1997 with the Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825). No municipality in Illinois — including Chicago — can impose rent caps or limit the amount landlords may increase rent. However, the Chicago RLTO imposes extensive rules on late fees, security deposits, required disclosures, and notice periods that are often more complex than actual rent control ordinances in other states.
What is the maximum late fee I can charge in Chicago?
The maximum late fee under the RLTO is $10 for the first $500 of monthly rent, plus 5% of any rent amount above $500. For example, if rent is $2,000, the maximum late fee is $10 + (5% × $1,500) = $85. Late fees cannot be charged until 5 days after the rent due date. Charging more than this formula allows is a violation that can entitle the tenant to recover the excess.
What happens if I don’t pay security deposit interest?
Failure to pay annual security deposit interest within 30 days of the tenancy anniversary is a violation of the RLTO. The penalty is 2x the full security deposit amount plus reasonable attorney’s fees. This penalty applies regardless of the interest amount owed — even if the interest is just a few cents. For a $2,000 deposit, the penalty exposure is $4,000 plus legal costs, triggered by failing to pay $0.20 in interest.
What is the Fair Notice Ordinance?
The Fair Notice Ordinance requires Chicago landlords to provide advance written notice before declining to renew a lease or raising rent. The required notice period depends on the length of the tenancy: 30 days for tenancies under 6 months, 60 days for tenancies between 6 months and 3 years, and 120 days for tenancies over 3 years. This applies to both non-renewals and rent increases.
What is the lockout penalty in Chicago?
Under the RLTO, a landlord who locks out a tenant without a court order faces a penalty of $500 per day for each day the lockout continues. This applies to changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or any other action that prevents the tenant from accessing the unit. Only a sheriff executing a court-ordered eviction can legally remove a tenant from a Chicago rental property.
What is the Illinois Safer Homes Act?
The Safer Homes Act is a statewide Illinois law that took effect in 2026. It requires landlords to attach a state-issued Summary of Rights as the first page of every new residential lease. The summary outlines tenant rights including habitability requirements, retaliation protections, and security deposit rules. Failure to include this summary can result in penalties of up to $2,000 and may give tenants grounds to void the lease.
What is the Illinois Junk Fee Ban?
Effective July 2026, Illinois HB 3564 requires landlords to list all non-optional fees on the first page of the lease. Tenants are not liable for any fees that are not disclosed in this manner. This includes application fees, pet fees, amenity fees, parking fees, trash fees, and any other mandatory charges beyond base rent. The law aims to eliminate hidden fees that inflate the true cost of renting beyond the advertised price.
Does the RLTO apply to my suburban Cook County property?
No. The Chicago RLTO applies only within Chicago city limits. Properties in suburban Cook County (outside Chicago) are governed by the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO), which has its own set of rules. Evanston has a separate ordinance called the ERLTO. Properties outside Cook County follow Illinois state law only. The rules for late fees, security deposits, and disclosures differ between these jurisdictions, so it’s critical to know which ordinance applies to each property.
Related Resources
9 Documents Chicago Landlords Must Attach
Complete guide to every required lease disclosure under the RLTO, including the new 2026 Safer Homes Act requirement.
Read the guide →Chicago Late Fee Calculator
The $10 + 5% formula most landlords get wrong, with worked examples at every rent level.
Calculate your max fee →Chicago Security Deposit Interest
The 0.01% rate, annual payment obligation, and the 2x penalty that catches landlords off guard.
Understand the rules →Chicago vs Cook County vs Evanston
Three overlapping ordinances explained side-by-side with comparison tables.
Compare the rules →Stay compliant across Chicago without the guesswork
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