House & Apartment
Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
This Easy Form makes a Small Claims Complaint you can use to sue a former landlord to return your security deposit.
The Easy Form does not e-file your forms. You can download the forms and e-filing instructions at the end of the program.
If you are e-filing, you can upload other documents as attachments during the e-filing process. If you are paper filing, bring copies of the documents to the clerk's office so you can attach them to the complaint.
Learn more about getting a security deposit back.This program will help you make your court forms. It will ask questions for you to answer. At the end of the program, you will get completed court forms and instructions. You can save and print them, or the program can email them to you.
Form completion time: 10 minutes to 20 minutes
You will be able to save your work in the middle of the program.
The interview and forms are in English.
Can I use this program?
Before using this program, you must:
- Send a letter to your landlord demanding the return of your security deposit, and
- Wait 45 days after you moved out of the apartment before suing your landlord.
Note: In Evanston, you only have to wait 21 days if the rental property is covered by the landlord-tenant ordinance. This program will help you figure out if the Evanston law or another landlord-tenant law applies.
To use this program:
- You must be at least 18 years old, and
- Your rental unit must be located in Illinois.
What do I need first?
To complete this program, you will need to know:
- The name and address of your former landlord,
- The dates you moved in and moved out of the apartment,
- The amount and date of security deposit payments you made, and
- The date you sent your demand letter to the landlord.
You will also need a receipt for the security deposit or lease showing the security deposit was paid.
What documents will this create?
This program prepares the following forms. The forms you get will depend on your answers.
- How to File & Serve a Small Claims Complaint & Small Claims Summons
- Small Claims Complaint
- Additional Reasons (Small Claims Complaint)
- Additional Defendants (Small Claims Complaint)
- Small Claims Summons
- Small Claims Order
- Letter to the Sheriff
Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
