Last updated: September 2005

• The Lease

• Landlord and Tenant Rights

• Repairs

• Utilities

• Eviction

• Fees and Deposits

The Lease

What is a lease?

A lease is an agreement to rent. Leases can be written or oral. Oral means you and the landlord make an agreement, but do not write it down. It is better to have a written lease. Courts do not always enforce oral promises.

What should be stated in the lease?

• The amount of the rent.
• How long the lease will last.
• How the lease should end.
• How to renew the lease.
• How much will be charged if rent is paid late.
• Who is responsible for repairs and how to get repairs made.
• When the landlord can enter the apartment and what type of permission, or notice to you is needed.
• Any other promises made by the landlord.

What should I do if there is something in the lease that I don't understand?

Ask the landlord if you can take the lease with you to look it over before you sign it. Make sure you understand all of the provisions. Do not rely on the landlord's statements as to what the lease means.

If something in the lease is unclear, you should contact an attorney to review the lease for you. You should ask the landlord to clarify that provision or replace it with the explanation that he gave you.

If the landlord refuses to clarify, you should be wary of the landlord's explanation of the provision.

If there are parts of the lease that you do not agree with, ask the landlord politely to change the part that you do not agree with. If he refuses, you should not sign the lease.

What do I do with my lease?

Read your lease. Sign it. Keep a copy in a safe place. 

How long does a lease last?

A written lease will say how long it lasts. Oral leases are usually month-to-month. Most written leases are for a year.

At the end of the lease, you have to move out. You do not have to move out if you and the landlord agree that you can stay.

What are the different types of leases?

Leases are commonly month to month, year to year, and week to week.

Month to month lease

In a month-to-month lease, you pay rent once a month. The lease goes on from one month to the next. The lease doesn't end at a set month. To end the lease, the landlord or you must give a month’s notice.

Year to year lease

A year to year lease is for twelve months. It is renewed each year unless either party ends the lease.

Week to week lease

A week to week lease is for one week. It is renewable every week unless either party ends the lease.

Landlord and Tenant Rights

How should I pay my rent?

Pay your rent with check or money order. Get a receipt for your rent. Keep copies of the checks or money orders and your receipts together in a safe place.

What can I do to protect myself before I move in?

• Ask for a written lease.
• Take pictures of the apartment.
• Read anything the landlord gives you.

Do I need to do a walk-through with the landlord if the apartment passes inspection?

Even if the apartment has passed inspection, before moving in, you should walk through the apartment preferably with the landlord and make a list of any damage that exists.

You should note any damage, such as stains, broken appliances, etc. You should also check all electrical outlets and all appliances that are provided with the apartment to see if they are working.

You should also make sure the toilet flushes property. Turn on the water in the kitchen and bathroom to see if they have proper water pressure, and check the ceiling for spots, which indicate possible leaks.

What should I do if the landlord refuses to do a walk-through with me?

If the landlord is not available or refuses to do a walk-through, you should walk through with a friend making note of any damage, and if possible, take pictures.

Make sure the pictures show the damage that you noted. You should keep a copy of the list of damages and give a copy to your landlord requesting that he attach it to your lease.

What must a landlord do?

The landlord must:

• Keep the home up to local building code
• Keep the home so that you can safely live in it
• Give you written notice before ending the lease
• Not enter the home without telling you in advance, unless it is an emergency.

Can the landlord discriminate against me?

The landlord cannot discriminate against you or refuse to rent to you for these reasons:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Ancestry
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation
• Military status
• Discharge from the military

The landlord must make reasonable accommodations for disabilities. For example, you have a seeing-eye dog. The landlord has a rule that says no pets. The landlord must let your dog live with you anyhow. 

What must a tenant do?

The tenant must:

• Keep the home clean
• Not change the home unless the landlord says it is okay 
• Pay rent when due
• Give the landlord notice before moving out 
• Obey the lease
• Tell the landlord about any problems with the home

Repairs

The landlord has a duty to make sure that the residence is livable, the conditions of the residence are not a threat to the safety and health of the tenants, and complies with the housing code.

What should I do about repairs that are needed before I move in?

Some damage will be of a nature that you should note that it exists, but will not need repairing. For instance, a spot on the carpet should be noted, but as long as the carpet is clean, the carpet does not need replacing.

On the other hand, a window may be cracked. This should be noted and you should request the landlord repair it before you move in.

Do not sign a lease, until all repairs that have been requested are made.

If the landlord tells you the repairs have been completed, politely request that he walk you through once more before you sign the lease.

Most leases state that all promises that have been made are stated in the lease and no other promises were made. If he promised to make a repair and it is not provided for in the lease, it will be presumed that the promise was not made. You will have to prove that the promise was made.

To prevent from having to prove that the promise was made, make sure all promises are fulfilled before signing the lease, or that the promises are in writing. At the very least, you should have a witness present at the making of the promise.

What should I do when repairs are needed?

You must tell the landlord about the problem. If the landlord does not fix the problem, write the landlord a letter. Send the letter by certified mail. Ask for a return receipt. Keep a copy of the letter. Keep track of when you made the oral and written demands for repairs. Take pictures of the damage for your records.

If the landlord does not make repairs, you should contact him to find out if and when he will make the repairs.

You can complain to the building department about problems. If the problems are serious, they may condemn the home. Then you would have to move.

If the landlord promises to make repairs, send the landlord a letter, saying what the landlord promised to do.

What should I do if the landlord fails to make repairs after several requests for repairs?

If he still does not make repairs, there are several things that you can do:

• Report the violations to the housing department and/or health and safety department.
• Repair and deduct the costs.
• Withhold rent.

Reporting Housing Code Violations

If the problem may be a violation of the housing code, you should request an inspection, and a copy of the inspection report for your files. If the inspection reveals violations of the housing code, then the inspector will demand that the landlord repair the problems.

If the landlord still does not make the repairs, you should inform the building inspector and request that he has the landlord make the needed repairs.

If the violations of the housing code are serious, the building inspector may condemn the apartment for occupancy and you will have to move, immediately. Your landlord cannot evict you for requesting an inspection. If he attempts to do so, contact a lawyer.

If the landlord fails to make repairs, do I have the right to make repairs and deduct the cost from rent?

Under Illinois law, the landlord's failure to make repairs allows you to make the repairs yourself and deduct the cost of the repairs from the rent when:

• A repair is required under a residential lease agreement or required under a law, administrative rule, or local ordinance or regulation;
• The reasonable cost of the repair is not more than $500 or one-half of the monthly rent;
• The landlord is notified in writing by registered or certified mail intention to have the repair made at the landlord's expense, and the landlord fails to make the repair within 14 days after notice;
• The condition was not caused by you, your family, or your guest.

Exceptions may apply depending on your type of housing and tenancy. If the landlord fails to make repairs, you still must pay rent. Your obligation to pay rent is independent of the landlord's duty to make repairs.

If you repair and deduct, the landlord may be able to evict you. However, some local ordinances permit the tenant to repair and deduct and will protect them from eviction, if the repair and deduct were properly undertaken. You should check your local ordinance, if applicable, to determine your rights as a tenant.

Under certain circumstances, even where there is no ordinance, judges will not evict a tenant who repairs and deducts the cost from his rent. It depends on the seriousness of the problem or if a lease requires the landlord to repair and the landlord does not make repairs.

Problems are usually considered serious when they involve essentials, such as heat, electricity, plumbing, water, or security. You should have the premises inspected in order to help determine if the violations are serious. If they are serious and violate the housing code, the inspector will request the landlord make the repairs. If he does not, then you should consider making the repairs and deducting the cost from your rent.

If the problem does not violate the housing code, you probably should not repair and deduct, unless your lease permits it.

What should I do if I decide to repair and deduct?

If you decide to repair and deduct, there are several things you should do.

• Inform your landlord in writing that if repairs are not made by a certain date, you will make the repairs and deduct the cost from rent.
• Send the letter certified mail with return receipt requested or hand deliver the letter to your landlord.
• Keep a copy for your records.
• Get several estimates of the cost to repair.
• Make sure the cost is reasonable.
• If the problem cannot be fixed, you cannot replace it with the most expensive item.
• If the item can be repaired it should not be replaced with a new one.
• If the cost to repair is more than one month's rent, it may not be reasonable to make the repair.
• Get a licensed repairman to fix the problem, if possible.
• Get a receipt that states the cost of parts and labor.
• Send a written statement to the landlord listing the repairs made and the cost of those repairs.
• On the day rent is due, you should pay all of the rent owed minus the deductions.
• Keep copies of the receipts, the statement, and all other communications between you and the landlord.

If the landlord fails to make repairs, do I have the right to withhold rent?

Although repair and deduct is preferable, withholding rent is an option if the landlord fails to make repairs. Similar to the repair and deduct option, under Illinois Law the tenant does not have a right to withhold rent because the landlord did not make repairs. If the landlord fails to make repairs, you still must pay rent.

What should I do if I decide to withhold rent?

• Write the landlord a letter requesting that he make repairs and inform him that you will withhold rent if he does not.
• Send this letter certified mail with return receipt requested or hand deliver it to the landlord.
• Keep a copy for your records.
• Hold on to rent money and do not spend it.

Can I be evicted for withholding rent?

If you decide to withhold rent, the landlord may be able to evict you. Make sure the repairs are bad enough to justify withholding rent.

If he decides to evict you for withholding rent, he is required to send you a notice demanding that you pay rent within five days or you will be evicted. If you pay rent within the five days, your landlord cannot evict you.

Utilities

Who is responsible for utilities when I rent?

Before you sign your lease, ask your landlord who will pay gas and/or electricity and have it included in the lease.

What are my rights if the landlord agrees to pay utilities?

If the landlord agrees to pay utilities like water, gas, and electricity, you have a right to pay the utility bill if the landlord does not pay.

You can take the cost of the utility bill from the rent.

What if the landlord agrees to pay utilities and does not pay?

Under the lease, either the tenant or landlord can agree to pay the utility bills. If you agree to pay the utility bills in the lease, you must pay them. You cannot take the cost of utilities from the rent, even if the utilities are high.  

Sometimes landlords agree to pay the utility bills but do not. If this happens, you can pay the bill. You can take the cost of the utility bill from the rent. You should send the landlord a letter, saying you will pay the utility bill. Keep a copy of the letter. Keep a copy of your payment for the utilities.

Can the landlord make me pay utilities after he agreed to pay?

If you have a lease, the landlord cannot change the agreement, unless the lease ends. If the lease is about to end and the landlord wants to change the utility payment agreement, he must tell you at least 30 days before the lease ends.

If you do not have a lease, the landlord must give you at least 30 days notice of his intent to change the oral agreement.

How do I know how much utility services I have used if there is a single utility meter?

If you live in a building where there is a single utility meter and you pay the landlord a part of the bill, the landlord must give the tenant the formula used to determine the tenant's bill in writing, as part of the lease or another written agreement. The formula must include everyone that will use the utility service. The total payments made under the formula cannot equal more than the utility bill. The landlord must give the tenant a copy of the utility bill, if the tenant asks for it.

Can the landlord make me pay for utilities billed to common areas?

Before your landlord can ask you to pay for utilities billed to common areas, he must follow certain steps.

• He must provide you with a written statement of utilities in the common areas, describing what areas and appliances contribute to your bill.
• He must provide you with copies of the utility bills for the unit for the 12 previous months, unless you agree otherwise.
• The landlord cannot ask you to collect from other tenants.
• If the landlord reduces the rent for you because you pay for utility usage outside your unit, he must state in writing the amount of the rent decrease.

Can the landlord turn off my utilities to make me move?

Water, gas, and electricity are utilities. The landlord may only turn the utilities off to make repairs. He should give you advance warning of any such temporary shutdowns. 

The landlord may not turn the utilities off for any other reason, such as to make you move. If the landlord does this, you can sue him and get an order requiring him to turn the utilities on.

Eviction

How can a landlord evict me?

The landlord has to give you a written notice to end the lease, unless the notice requirement is waived in the written lease. He can end it because you did not pay rent, for violating lease conditions, or for no reason at all.

A landlord must give you a five-day notice if he says you did not pay rent. The notice must be written. It must say exactly how much you owe. It must give you five days to pay the back rent. If you do not pay back rent within five days, the landlord can sue you in court.

A landlord must give you a ten-day notice to evict you for violation of lease conditions. The notice must state why you are being evicted. After the ten days have expired, he can sue you in court.

The notice the landlord has to give you to end the lease for no reason at all depends on your lease. If it is week to week, he must give you a week's notice. If it is year to year, he must give you notice between 60 days and four months. If it is month to month, he must give you thirty days' notice.

After the landlord gives you a notice he has to sue you in court. The judge has to order you to move. The landlord cannot evict you without a court order. If he tries, call the Sheriff. 

What is a Forcible Entry and Detainer action?

After the period in the notice has expired, the landlord must file a Forcible Entry and Detainer action, which is basically an eviction suit. Filing a Forcible Entry and Detainer action is the only way a landlord can make you move.

You will receive a summons to appear in court once a lawsuit has been filed. You must appear in court on the scheduled day. You have the right to legal representation at your cost, trial by jury, present evidence, call witnesses, and ask questions.

It is illegal for a landlord to evict you, or set your possessions out without receiving a judgment for possession of the premises by a court. 

What can I do to protect myself before I move out?

• Give the landlord written notice that you are moving. Keep a copy of the notice you send to the landlord.  Give the landlord as much notice as your lease says
• Give the landlord your new address
• After everything is out of the home, ask the landlord to go through the home with you. Try to agree on what the damages are. Write down an agreement with the landlord about how much the damages are 
• If the landlord won’t meet with you, take pictures of the home

Fees and Deposits

What is an application fee?

Application fees are charged for the cost of checking your employment, references, and credit to determine if you qualify to rent the apartment. Application fees range from $0 - $50.

You should get a receipt for the application fee. Most application fees are non-refundable. If you are told that the application fee is refundable, make sure that your receipt or other document says so.

What is a security deposit?

Security deposits are paid before you move into the apartment. As with all money paid to the landlord, you should get a receipt.

You should have your landlord write on the security deposit receipt that it is refundable. Your landlord may deduct any unpaid rent or the cost to repair any damage to the apartment caused by you or your guests.

If you decide not to move in, your security deposit is refundable as long as you have not signed a lease. If you have signed a lease and do not pay rent, the landlord can deduct the amount of rent due from the security deposit.

When do I get my security deposit back?

Under Illinois law, for buildings with 5 or more apartments (and under Chicago's Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance) your landlord must send you a list of damages and the cost to fix the damages within 30 days after you move out to keep the deposit. If your landlord does not claim that you damaged the apartment, he must return your security deposit within 45 days after you move out. If your landlord claims that you damaged the apartment, but fails to give you a written statement of the damages, then he must still must return your security deposit in full within 45 days.

Under Illinois law, for buildings with 4 or fewer apartments, your landlord does not have to give you a written statement of damages if he wants to deduct repair costs from your security deposit. Your landlord must only return your security deposit within a reasonable amount of time. Click on the title below for more information about how to get your security deposit back.

How to Get Your Security Deposit Back

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