What Should a Residential Landlord do With a Tenant’s Abandoned Possessions in Illinois? | Learn About Law

Article written by Illinois Attorney Kevin O’Flaherty

In this article, we answer the question, “what should a landlord do with a tenant’s abandoned possessions in Illinois?” For some foundational information on Illinois landlord-tenant law, check out: Illinois Tenant Rights Explained.

Whether a residential tenant is evicted, abandons the premises, or simply leaves the premises after the expiration of the lease, he or she may leave some personal property behind. How the landlord is required to handle deal with this property depends on whether the premises is located inside or outside of Chicago.

City of Chicago Requirements for Disposing of a Tenant’s Possessions

If the tenant leaves property behind and the rental unit is in Chicago, the Landlord is required to store the property or leave the property on the premises for 7 days after the tenant leaves the property. After this 7 day period has expired, the landlord may freely dispose of the property. An exception to this rule is that if the landlord reasonably believes the property to be of such little value that the cost of storage would exceed the fair market value of the property, the landlord…