Illinois: Charged for normal wear and tear

Review deductions involving routine aging, ordinary use, old-item replacement, repairability, or betterment.

Reviewed: 2026-08-11

How sources are checked →

Deadline context

45/30 days

Statute

765 ILCS 710 (Security Deposit Return Act)

Review checklist

Separate true damage from ordinary wear.
Collect move-in/move-out photos and condition notes.
Ask how age, prior condition, repairability, actual cost, and betterment affect the claimed loss under the governing rule.
Challenge each deduction line item with evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Questions to check against your Illinois records and the current source.

What should I check when a deduction may be ordinary wear and tear?

Review deductions involving routine aging, ordinary use, old-item replacement, repairability, or betterment. Start with your dates and records, then compare them with the current Illinois source.

What is the Illinois deadline for deposit return?

30 days for a damage statement with receipts or estimates; 45 days to return the deposit when no damage claim is made (45/30 days).

Take the next step

Use the checklist above to organize your dates and records, then choose the action that fits what you found.

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