Urbana — Ch. 12.5 Landlord-Tenant Relationships § 12.5-20
Same—Security deposit return
Operative Text
(a) A lessor of residential real property who has received a security deposit from a lessee to secure the payment of rent or to compensate for damage to the leased property may not withhold any part of that deposit as compensation for property damage unless he or she has, within thirty (30) days of the date that the lessee vacated the premises, furnished to the lessee, delivered in person or by mail directed to his or her last known address, an itemized statement of the damage allegedly caused to the premises and the estimated or actual cost for repairing or replacing each item on that statement, attaching the paid receipts, or copies thereof, for the repair or replacement. If the lessor utilizes his or her own labor to repair any damage caused by the lessee, the lessor may include the reasonable cost of his or her labor to repair such damage. If estimated cost is given, the lessor shall furnish the lessee with paid receipts, or copies thereof, within thirty (30) days from the date the statement showing estimated cost was furnished to the lessee, as required by this section. If no such statement and receipts, or copies thereof, are furnished to the lessee as required by this section, the lessor shall return the security deposit in full within forty-five (45) days of the date that the lessee vacated the premises. (b) Upon a finding by a circuit court that the landlord has refused to supply the itemized statement required herein, or has supplied such statement in bad faith, and has failed or refused to return the amount of the security deposit due within the time limits provided, the landlord shall be liable for an amount equal to twice the amount of the security deposit due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. (c) Reserved. (d) The decorating of the rental unit after the tenant vacates, including painting and carpet cleaning, unless walls or carpets are damaged beyond normal wear, shall not be considered as damage and the costs thereof shall not be charged to the security deposit.
Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-20 governs how and when landlords must return security deposits after a tenant moves out. If a landlord wants to keep any portion of a deposit for property damage, they must send the tenant an itemized statement of damages—with receipts or cost estimates—within 30 days of the tenant vacating; if estimates are used, final receipts must follow within another 30 days. If no proper statement and receipts are provided, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days of move-out. Routine redecorating costs, such as painting or carpet cleaning, cannot be deducted unless the walls or carpets are damaged beyond normal wear and tear.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-20 generally maintain organized records of a unit's condition before and after each tenancy to support any damage claims. A compliant landlord delivers an itemized damage statement—with paid receipts or cost estimates—to the former tenant's last known address within 30 days of move-out, and follows up with final receipts within 30 days if estimates were initially provided. Landlords who perform their own repair work may include a reasonable labor cost in the statement, but routine turnover costs like standard painting or carpet cleaning are not chargeable to the deposit unless damage exceeds normal wear.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-20, tenants have a right to receive an itemized damage statement and supporting receipts within specific deadlines after vacating, and to have the full deposit returned if those deadlines are not met. If a landlord refuses to supply the required statement, supplies it in bad faith, or fails to return the deposit on time, a circuit court may award the tenant twice the amount of the deposit owed, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants who believe their deposit was improperly withheld may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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