Ending a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois

The rule in Illinois

To end a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois, the notice period is 30 days, set by 735 ILCS 5/9-207(b). The words: “in all cases of tenancy for any term less than one year, other than tenancy from week to week … the landlord may terminate the tenancy by 30 days' notice, in writing.” The section quoted addresses the landlord's notice.

Of the 29 states verified on this site, 3 require less notice and 4 require more, counting a month as 30 days for comparison; the median is 30 days. 21 others land on the same length, among them Arizona, Florida, Idaho and Iowa.

Worked date: a notice delivered on November 10, 2026 runs its 30 days on December 10, 2026, so the notice can name December 10, 2026 or a later date as the end of the tenancy, 30 days after delivery.

Given on the rent day itself, December 1, 2026, the same notice reaches its end on December 31, 2026, 30 days later. A period stated in days is the same length in every month.

Across the border, among neighbours with a verified rule: Iowa requires 30 days, Missouri requires one month and Wisconsin requires 28 days.

For a tenancy paid by the week, the same statute sets 7 days, 23% of the monthly figure.

The section speaks of any tenancy for a term of less than one year other than week to week, which takes in month-to-month; a week-to-week tenancy takes 7 days' written notice (§ 9-207(a)). Both are subject to the exceptions in § 9-207.5.

After the notice: the landlord then has 45 days to return the security deposit (deposit rules), so a tenancy ending on December 10, 2026 puts the deposit deadline at January 24, 2027.

Source: Illinois General Assembly, 735 ILCS 5/9-207 · last checked October 21, 2026.

Giving or receiving notice

The statute sets the shortest period; a lease can add conditions such as a written form or a delivery method, and some cities add their own rules. The guide on ending a month-to-month tenancy compares how the verified states count the period.