Cook County landlord fees in 2027
Outside Chicago, rentals in suburban Cook County follow the county's Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO), and from January 1, 2027 the statewide fee rules in 765 ILCS 705/35 as well.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 against Public Act 104-0479 and the sources below · How we check facts
Fees at a glance
| Fee | State law (HB 3564) | Cook County RTLO |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | No cap, must be on page one | Max 1.5 months of rent |
| Late fee | Disclose on page one | Max $10 for the first $1,000 of rent plus 5% above $1,000 |
| Application fee | $50 cap, background check included | State cap applies |
| Move-in fee | Allowed, must be disclosed | Not a deposit if truly non-refundable |
| Renewal, after-hours, hotline, walkthrough fees | Banned | Banned by the state law |
Late fee calculator
Use the late fee calculator and choose suburban Cook County. On $1,800 rent, the RTLO maximum is $10 plus 5% of $800, which is $50.
Who is covered
The RTLO covers most rentals in suburban Cook County. Like the state fee law, it exempts owner-occupied buildings with six units or fewer. Chicago has its own ordinance, the RLTO, and some suburbs, such as Evanston and Oak Park, have their own landlord-tenant rules, so check your municipality.
What to change before January 1, 2027
- Keep deposits at or under 1.5 months of rent.
- Check late fees against the RTLO formula.
- Cut application fees to $50 and drop banned fees.
- Put every required fee on page one of the lease and in listings. A fee page does both.
Make your disclosure in about two minutes. Put every required fee on one page with a link you can paste into any listing, plus a print-ready block for page one of your lease.
Frequently asked questions
What is the security deposit limit in Cook County?
In suburban Cook County, the RTLO limits security deposits to 1.5 months of rent.
What is the Cook County late fee limit?
$10 per month for the first $1,000 of monthly rent plus 5% of any rent above $1,000.
Does the Cook County RTLO apply in Chicago?
No. Chicago rentals follow the city's RLTO instead.
Related
Not legal advice. Confirm your lease with an Illinois attorney.