• If you rented a condo, apartment, single family home or townhouse in Chicago, and;
• Paid a security deposit, pet deposit, garage deposit, parking deposit and/or key deposit and;
• Your landlord did not occupy your building.

You may be entitled to DOUBLE your SECURITY DEPOSIT!

There Are FIVE (5) Security Deposit Violations Under Section 5-12-080 (a) - (e) Of The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (“RLTO”).

• RLTO Section 5-12-080(a) Your Landlord’s failure to have a separate bank account for your Security Deposit. The RLTO requires your Landlord to segregate your rent and Security Deposit payments.
  • Did your Landlord accept cash for your Security Deposit?
  • Did your Landlord accept your Security Deposit and first month’s rent on the same check?
  • Did your Landlord return your Security Deposit with a personal check?



• RLTO Section 5-12-080(b) Your Landlord’s failure to provide a written receipt for your Security Deposit. The RLTO requires your Landlord to issue a written receipt for your Security Deposit. The receipt must indicate five (5) things:
  1. The amount of the security deposit,
  2. The name of the person receiving it,
  3. The date
  4. A description of the dwelling unit, and
  5. Signed by the person receiving the Security Deposit.



• RLTO Section 5-12-080(c) Your Landlord’s failure to pay or credit Security Deposit interest annually.
  • Landlords must return Security Deposit interest within 30 days after the end of each 12-month period.
  • Click Here to Find Out the Current Security Deposit Interest Rate in Chicago.



• RLTO Section 5-12-080(d) Your Landlord’s failure to account for and return your Security Deposit with paid receipts, for all deductions, in a timely manner.
  
  
  • Your Landlord must return your Security Deposit within 45 days of your move- out.
  • If your Landlord deducts from your Security Deposit he must notify you within 30 days of your move-out.
  • Landlords must provide paid receipts for any and all claimed deductions.
  • Landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear.
  • Deductions for painting generally are considered improvements, not ordinary wear and tear.
  • Deductions containing round numbers are suspect.



• RLTO Section 5-12-080(e) Your Landlord’s failure to send a written notification to you if the property was sold and your Security Deposit was transferred. The notification must be sent to you by both your former Landlord and new Landlord within 10 days the property’s sale. Both notices must contain the following three (3) items:
  1. The Successor-Landlord’s business address;
  2. The Successor Landlord’s business telephone number.
  3. The Successor Landlord must state that he or she is “holding” your Security Deposit.
• Other Landlord Violations Under Chicago Law: If you have experienced Excessive Late Charges, Entries Without 48 Hours Notice, Non-Disclosure of Your Landlord’s Business Address, or Illegal Lockouts, the RLTO also protects Chicago tenants and awards monetary damages!