Illinois Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Illinois lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Illinois law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Illinois law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Military: an Illinois-resident service member (or family member living with them) may end a residential lease after entering military service for more than 29 consecutive days, or on permanent change-of-station or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by giving the landlord a copy of the orders. Termination takes effect 30 days after notice (for monthly rent, 30 days after the next rent due date); prepaid rent and the deposit (less actual damages) must be returned. Refusal is a civil-rights violation under the Human Rights Act. Flooding: a tenant not told the unit is in a FEMA flood zone (or about past flooding of a lower-level unit) may terminate within 30 days of learning of it or of a damaging flood, with advance rent and fees returned within 15 days. Source: 765 ILCS 705/16; 765 ILCS 705/25(e)
Ending a lease: domestic violence	Under the Safe Homes Act, a tenant is not liable for rent for the period after moving out if (a) the tenant or a household member faced a credible imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence at the premises, or (b) the tenant or a household member was a victim of sexual violence on premises owned or controlled by the landlord within the prior 60 days; in either case the tenant must give written notice before or within 3 days of vacating stating the reason. For the sexual-violence route the notice must give the date and the tenant must provide medical, court or police evidence or a statement from a victim-services or rape-crisis worker. Rent owed before notice and move-out is still owed. Tenants may also have locks changed within 48 hours with supporting evidence. Source: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20 (Safe Homes Act)

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Military: an Illinois-resident service member (or family member living with them) may end a residential lease after entering military service for more than 29 consecutive days, or on permanent change-of-station or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by giving the landlord a copy of the orders. Termination takes effect 30 days after notice (for monthly rent, 30 days after the next rent due date); prepaid rent and the deposit (less actual damages) must be returned. Refusal is a civil-rights violation under the Human Rights Act. Flooding: a tenant not told the unit is in a FEMA flood zone (or about past flooding of a lower-level unit) may terminate within 30 days of learning of it or of a damaging flood, with advance rent and fees returned within 15 days.

Source: 765 ILCS 705/16; 765 ILCS 705/25(e)

Ending a lease: domestic violence

Under the Safe Homes Act, a tenant is not liable for rent for the period after moving out if (a) the tenant or a household member faced a credible imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence at the premises, or (b) the tenant or a household member was a victim of sexual violence on premises owned or controlled by the landlord within the prior 60 days; in either case the tenant must give written notice before or within 3 days of vacating stating the reason. For the sexual-violence route the notice must give the date and the tenant must provide medical, court or police evidence or a statement from a victim-services or rape-crisis worker. Rent owed before notice and move-out is still owed. Tenants may also have locks changed within 48 hours with supporting evidence.

Source: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20 (Safe Homes Act)

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under 765 ILCS 705/16; 765 ILCS 705/25(e) for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early) templates for other states · All Illinois landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Illinois

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.