Illinois Residential Lease Agreement
Create a professional, Illinois-compliant residential lease agreement with our free template. Includes all required Illinois disclosures and adheres to state and Chicago landlord-tenant laws.
An Illinois residential lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that must comply with Illinois state law and local ordinances, including Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) for properties within city limits.
Illinois has comprehensive landlord-tenant laws, with Chicago having particularly strong tenant protections. Our Illinois-specific lease agreement template ensures your rental contract complies with all state regulations, including security deposit requirements, lead-based paint disclosures, and radon hazard disclosures. If your property is in Chicago, our template includes Chicago RLTO-specific provisions including security deposit interest requirements and tenant rights notifications. Whether you're renting out an apartment in Chicago, a home in Springfield, or a condo in Naperville, our customizable template helps you create a legally sound lease agreement that protects both landlord and tenant rights under Illinois law.
Illinois Landlord-Tenant Law Highlights
| Provision | Illinois Law Requirement |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit Limits | No statewide limit, but Chicago limits to 1.5 times monthly rent |
| Security Deposit Return | Must be returned within 30-45 days (depending on disputes) after tenant moves out |
| Notice for Landlord Entry | No statewide requirement, but Chicago requires 48 hours' notice |
| Late Fees | Must be reasonable and specified in the lease |
| Required Disclosures | Lead-based paint, radon hazards, utilities, foreclosure proceedings |
| Notice to Terminate (Month-to-Month) | 30 days' notice required statewide |
| Security Deposit Interest | Required in Chicago for buildings with 6+ units, not required statewide |
| Eviction Notice | 5 days' written notice for non-payment, 10 days for lease violations |
| Repair and Deduct | Limited rights to repair and deduct from rent |
| Retaliation Protection | Landlords prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise legal rights |
Required Illinois Lease Disclosures
Illinois law requires several specific disclosures to be included in or attached to residential lease agreements:
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Required for all housing built before 1978. Landlords must disclose known lead-based paint hazards and provide tenants with an EPA-approved pamphlet about lead poisoning prevention.
Radon Hazard Disclosure
Landlords must disclose if a radon hazard is known to exist or if the landlord has tested for radon within the property. A pamphlet about radon hazards must be provided.
Utility Payment Disclosure
Landlords must disclose which party is responsible for paying each utility service for the rental unit.
Foreclosure Proceedings
Landlords must disclose any pending foreclosure proceedings before signing a new lease.
Chicago RLTO Summary
Chicago landlords must attach a summary of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance to all leases for properties within city limits.
Security Deposit Receipt
In Chicago, landlords must provide a receipt for security deposits within 14 days, including the owner's name, date received, and description of the unit.
Security Deposit Rules in Illinois
Illinois has varying security deposit rules depending on location:
Statewide Rules
- No deposit limit: No maximum limit statewide
- Return deadline: 30-45 days after move-out
- Itemized statement: Required for any deductions
- Normal wear and tear: Cannot deduct for ordinary wear and tear
- No interest requirement: Outside of select municipalities
- Damages for violations: Double the deposit amount plus attorney fees
Chicago-Specific Rules
- Deposit limit: Not to exceed 1.5 times monthly rent
- Interest payments: Required for buildings with 6+ units
- Receipt requirement: Must provide written receipt within 14 days
- Separate account: Must be held in a separate, interest-bearing account
- Inspection rights: Tenants have the right to be present at inspections
- Penalties: Can be liable for double the deposit plus attorney fees
Important: Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) imposes significant penalties for security deposit violations. Landlords can face fines of two times the security deposit plus attorney fees for violations such as not paying interest, commingling deposits with other funds, or not returning deposits within the required timeframe.
Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO)
For properties in Chicago, the RLTO provides significant additional protections:
Tenant Protections
- 48-hour notice: Required before landlord entry
- Essential services: Strong remedies if landlord fails to provide heat, water, etc.
- Retaliation prohibition: Strong protection against retaliatory actions
- Subleasing rights: Reasonable subletting must be allowed
- Summary attachment: RLTO summary must be attached to lease
- Security deposit interest: Required to be paid annually
Landlord Requirements
- Bed bug disclosure: Must provide prevention/treatment plan
- Maintenance disclosure: Must disclose code violations
- Damage disclosure: Must disclose flood/water damage history
- Move-in fee limitations: Must be reasonable and disclosed
- Late fee restrictions: Cannot exceed $10 for first $500 in rent plus 5% of amount above $500
- Locks and security: Specific requirements for deadbolts and window locks
Note: The Chicago RLTO does not apply to owner-occupied buildings with six units or fewer, dormitories, hotels, or corporate housing. Make sure to check if your property falls under the ordinance.
Additional Illinois-Specific Lease Provisions
Repair and Deduct Rights
Illinois tenants have limited repair and deduct rights:
- Only applies to essential services (heat, water, electricity, etc.)
- 14-day written notice must be given to landlord
- Repairs must be completed by licensed professionals
- Deductions cannot exceed the lesser of $500 or half the monthly rent
- Receipts must be provided to the landlord
Eviction Procedures
Illinois has specific requirements for evictions:
- 5-day written notice for non-payment of rent
- 10-day written notice for lease violations
- 30-day written notice for month-to-month terminations
- Self-help evictions are strictly prohibited
- Court judgment and sheriff enforcement required
- Tenant's personal property must be stored for 7 days after eviction
Domestic Violence Protections
Illinois law provides specific protections for domestic violence victims:
- Early lease termination rights with proper documentation
- Changing locks at tenant's expense
- Protection from eviction based on domestic violence incidents
- Prohibition on penalizing tenants for calling police
- Confidentiality provisions for victim safety
Lease Renewal in Chicago
Chicago has specific requirements for lease renewals:
- Landlords must give 30 days' notice of their intent to renew or not
- Must disclose any changes to lease terms or rent amount
- Must provide summary of tenant rights with each renewal
- Lease renewal cannot waive previously accrued rights
- Cannot include prohibited provisions even in renewals
Need an Illinois-Compliant Lease?
Our Illinois Residential Lease Agreement template includes all state-required disclosures and provisions, customizable for your specific property details. We also offer specialized templates for Condo Leases and Room Rental Agreements.
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