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Last verified: 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high

When can a landlord charge a late fee for rent in Chicago, and how much?

Short answer

RLTO late fee: at most $10 a month on the first $500 of rent plus 5% of the rent above $500

Under the Chicago RLTO, a late fee for rent paid late may not exceed $10 per month on the first $500 of monthly rent plus 5% of the rent above $500.

"the landlord may charge a late fee of $10.00 per month on rents under $500 plus 5% per month on that part of the rent that exceeds $500.00"
chicago.gov

Source: chicago.gov · Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Full rule details

Chicago, IL rules on this topic

RLTO late fee: at most $10 a month on the first $500 of rent plus 5% of the rent above $500 Verified

Deadline: Ongoing requirement with no fixed date

Under the Chicago RLTO, a late fee for rent paid late may not exceed $10 per month on the first $500 of monthly rent plus 5% of the rent above $500.

Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt · Layer: Chicago, IL · Topic: Late fees and grace periods

Who it covers: Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance units.

"the landlord may charge a late fee of $10.00 per month on rents under $500 plus 5% per month on that part of the rent that exceeds $500.00"
chicago.gov

Notes: Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-140(h) as summarized in the City's 2023 RLTO summary. Owner-occupied buildings of six units or fewer are exempt from the RLTO.

Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Same topic in other places

More: Late fees and grace periods in every covered place · All Chicago, IL landlord rules · Build a dated calendar