Illinois Notice to Vacate

Illinois requires specific written notices to terminate tenancies or commence eviction proceedings. For month-to-month (periodic) tenancies, landlords generally must provide at least thirty (30) days' written notice to terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207). For non-payment of rent, a five (5) day demand notice is required before an eviction action may be filed (735 ILCS 5/9-209). Notices must be served properly, typically by personal delivery or by posting in a conspicuous place and mailing.

This document provides complete, compliant notice-to-vacate templates for the common situations encountered in Illinois residential tenancies. Select and complete only the applicable section(s).

Illinois Notice Requirements Summary

• Month-to-month tenancy termination (no cause): 30 days' written notice under 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Notice must be served before the start of the final rental period.
• Week-to-week: 7 days' written notice.
• Non-payment of rent: 5-day notice demanding full payment (735 ILCS 5/9-209). Only rent demanded may be included; full payment within the period waives the termination right unless landlord agrees otherwise.
• Lease violations (cureable): Notice periods and cure rights are governed by the lease and general law; many leases incorporate 5- or 10-day cure periods.
• Service methods: Personal delivery to tenant or suitable person; or posting on the premises in a conspicuous place + mailing a copy to the tenant at the premises (735 ILCS 5/9-211 and related service provisions).
• Chicago properties: Additional requirements may apply under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), including specific notice forms and just-cause provisions in some cases.

Important computation note: Notice periods are generally counted starting the day after proper service/receipt. Weekends and holidays may affect filing deadlines in court but do not extend the notice period itself unless the statute or ordinance provides otherwise., -

Landlord / Agent and Tenant Identification

Date of Notice: [[Date Notice Prepared / Served]]

FROM (Landlord or Authorized Agent):
Full Name / Entity: [[Landlord or Management Company Full Name]]
Mailing Address: [[Landlord Mailing Address for Notices]]
[[City]], Illinois [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]]
Email: [[Landlord Email]]

TO (Tenant(s) and All Occupants):
[[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
AND ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS
Premises Address:
[[Full Street Address]]
[[City]], Illinois [[ZIP Code]]

Tenancy Details:
Approximate Tenancy Start Date: [[Tenancy Commencement Date]]
Current Tenancy Type: [[Month-to-Month / Week-to-Week / Fixed Term Ending [[Lease End Date]]]]
Current Monthly Rent: $[[Current Monthly Rent]], -

NOTICE TO VACATE *(Complete ONLY the option(s) that apply. Delete or strike through inapplicable sections before service.)*, -

OPTION A, 30-Day Notice of Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy *(Landlord termination of month-to-month tenancy, 735 ILCS 5/9-207)*

30-DAY NOTICE OF TERMINATION

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that your month-to-month tenancy at the Premises described above is terminated effective at the end of the rental period that falls at least thirty (30) days after you receive this notice.

Termination Effective Date (last day of tenancy): [[Termination Date, must align with end of a rental period and provide full 30 days after service]]

You and all occupants must vacate and surrender possession of the Premises, remove all personal property, and return all keys and access devices to the landlord or agent at the address below no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Termination Effective Date.

If you fail to vacate by the Termination Effective Date, the landlord may commence eviction proceedings without further notice., -

OPTION B, 5-Day Notice for Non-Payment of Rent (Pay or Quit) *(735 ILCS 5/9-209)*

5-DAY NOTICE, DEMAND FOR RENT

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent in the amount of $[[Exact Amount of Rent Due]] is past due for the Premises. This amount is for the rental period(s) of [[Describe periods, e.g. "March 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026"]].

YOU MUST PAY THE FULL AMOUNT DEMANDED WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS after service of this notice, or the lease will be terminated and you must vacate the Premises.

Payment must be made in full to [[Landlord or Agent Name]] at [[Payment Location or Address]] by [[Payment Method, e.g. cash, certified check, money order, or electronic means]].

Only FULL PAYMENT of the rent demanded in this notice will waive the landlord's right to terminate the lease under this notice, unless the landlord agrees in writing to accept partial payment.

If payment is not received within the five-day period, the landlord may commence an eviction action without further notice or demand.

Amount Due Breakdown (if applicable):
- Base Rent: $[[Base Rent Portion]]
- Other Charges Treated as Rent per Lease: $[[Other Rent Charges]]
- Total Demanded: $[[Exact Amount of Rent Due]], -

OPTION C, Notice to Vacate at End of Fixed Lease Term *(Demand to vacate upon lease expiration, no automatic holdover conversion)*

NOTICE TO VACATE AT END OF LEASE TERM

The fixed-term lease for the Premises expires on [[Lease Expiration Date]]. You are required to vacate and surrender the Premises on or before [[Vacate Date, typically the lease end date]].

If you remain in possession after the expiration date without a new written agreement, you will be a holdover tenant and the landlord may pursue eviction and damages as permitted by law., -

OPTION D, Tenant-Initiated Notice to Vacate (Tenant Giving Notice) *(Tenant terminating month-to-month tenancy, 30 days recommended)*

TENANT NOTICE OF INTENT TO VACATE

I/We, [[Tenant Full Name(s)]], hereby give notice that I/we will vacate the Premises located at [[Property Address]] on or before [[Vacate Date, at least 30 days from service for month-to-month]].

I/We will surrender the Premises in broom-clean condition, remove all personal property, and return all keys and access devices.

Forwarding address for any deposit accounting or final statements:
[[Tenant Forwarding Address]], -

Proper Service of This Notice

This notice must be served by one of the following methods that creates reasonable proof of delivery:

1. Personal delivery to the tenant named above or to a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the Premises.

2. Posting a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the Premises (e.g., front door) and mailing a copy to the tenant at the Premises address by first-class mail (or certified mail where stronger proof is desired).

3. Any other method authorized by the governing lease or Illinois statute for service of notices.

Method of Service Used:
[[Check one: Personal Delivery / Posting + Mailing / Certified Mail / Other: [[Describe]] ]]

Date and Time of Service: [[Date and approximate time notice was served or posted/mailed]]

Person(s) Effecting Service: [[Name of server or "Landlord" or "Agent"]], -

Certificate of Service

I certify that on [[Date of Service]], I served or caused to be served a true copy of this Illinois Notice to Vacate on [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] at the Premises by the method checked below:

☐ Personal delivery to tenant or person of suitable age and discretion at Premises

☐ Posting in conspicuous place on Premises + mailing copy to tenant at Premises

☐ Certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to tenant at Premises

☐ Other authorized method: [[Describe]]

________________________________________
Signature
[[Printed Name of Server / Landlord / Authorized Agent]]
Title: [[Landlord / Property Manager / Agent]]
Date: [[Date Signed]], -

Move-Out and Surrender Instructions (applicable to all options)

On or before the termination or vacate date, the tenant shall:

1. Remove all personal belongings and trash from the Premises.

2. Return all keys, garage openers, mailbox keys, fobs, and other access devices to [[Landlord or Agent Name and Return Address or Location]].

3. Leave the Premises in a clean, sanitary condition, free of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

4. Provide a written forwarding address for the security deposit accounting and final statements.

5. Schedule a move-out inspection if required or offered by the landlord.

Failure to return keys or remove property may result in additional charges or delays in deposit return., -

Pre-Service Checklist

1. Select the correct notice type (30-day, 5-day pay-or-quit, end-of-term, or tenant notice) for the situation.

2. Verify the exact rent amount demanded (for 5-day notices) matches ledger records; do not include non-rent charges unless the lease treats them as rent.

3. Calculate the termination date to provide the full statutory period after service and align with rental period end.

4. Use proper service method and document the date, time, and method with witnesses or receipts if possible.

5. Retain the original signed notice and proof of service for any court filing.

6. Confirm no rent control, subsidy, or local ordinance adds extra requirements (Chicago RLTO, etc.).

7. If the tenant has asserted rights (repair requests, complaints), ensure the notice is not retaliatory.

8. For 5-day notices, confirm the demanded amount is only for rent due and owing., -

Illinois Notice to Vacate Statutory Reference Table

Disclaimer and Sources

Template, not professional legal advice. This is a sample form only. Notice periods, service methods, and eviction procedures in Illinois are governed by Article IX of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.) and related statutes. Local ordinances (Chicago RLTO and others) may impose additional obligations or different forms. Verify all requirements against current statutes and consult a licensed Illinois attorney before serving notices or filing eviction actions. Payment of the exact rent demanded within the 5-day period (for non-payment notices) generally prevents termination under that notice.

Sources (as of June 2026):
- 735 ILCS 5/9-207, Notice to terminate tenancy for less than a year
- 735 ILCS 5/9-209, Demand for rent, eviction action
- 735 ILCS 5/9-211, Service of notice
- Illinois Legal Aid Online resources on ending a lease and eviction
- Illinois General Assembly (ILGA.gov) compiled statutes

*End of Illinois Notice to Vacate*