Quick Answer
The Illinois Attorney General summarizes the notice periods this way: 30 days written notice ends a month-to-month tenancy, and 60 days written notice ends a year-to-year tenancy. The landlord does not have to state a reason. A rent increase on a month-to-month tenancy needs 30 days notice, and on a week-to-week tenancy seven days. A tenant moving out normally gives 30 days written notice unless the lease requires longer. Statute text last checked October 22, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Thirty days for month-to-month. Written notice, no reason needed.
- Sixty days for year-to-year. A longer notice for the longer tenancy.
- Rent increases: 30 days for month-to-month and seven days for week-to-week.
- Fixed-term leases. Rent generally stays the same until the lease expires.
- Tenant move-out. Normally 30 days written notice unless the lease says longer.
1. Match the Notice to the Tenancy
Read the lease first. A tenancy with no end date and monthly rent is month-to-month, and a yearly tenancy needs the longer notice. If a fixed term has ended and the tenant stays, the way rent is paid shows the type of tenancy.
2. Writing the Notice
State the address, the date the notice is given, and the date the tenancy ends. Deliver in a way you can document and keep a copy. Adding a courtesy line about the walkthrough and key return keeps the end of the tenancy orderly.
3. Rent Increase Notices
A rent increase on a month-to-month tenancy needs 30 days notice, and on a week-to-week tenancy seven days. A fixed-term lease generally prevents increases until the term ends, so check the lease before sending anything. Local rent rules may differ, so check them too.
4. When the Tenant Stays
A tenant who remains after the end date is handled through the court. File the appropriate case, and do not change locks or shut off services. Keep the notice and proof of delivery in the file for the hearing.
5. Tenant Notices to You
Tenants normally give 30 days written notice to move out unless the lease requires longer. Record the date you received it and confirm the move-out date in writing, which also starts your deposit schedule.
6. A Checklist
- Identify the tenancy type from the lease and rent history.
- Choose 30 or 60 days and write the end date.
- Deliver and record the date.
- For rent increases, use 30 days (monthly) or seven days (weekly).
- Prepare the deposit file for the move-out date.
7. What This Guide Does Not Cover
This guide covers termination and increase notices. It does not cover nonpayment, lease violations, just-cause rules in some cities, or Chicago’s ordinance. It states the statute and does not predict how a court will rule.
8. Questions Owners Ask
Do I need a reason to end a month-to-month tenancy? The Attorney General’s summary says no reason is required.
Can I raise rent mid-lease? Fixed-term leases generally bar increases until the lease expires, unless the lease says otherwise.
How does the tenant end the tenancy? Normally with 30 days written notice, unless the lease requires longer.