House & Apartment

Learn about eviction and understand the legal steps for removing occupants.

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

A program to help you ask a judge to remove an eviction court file from the public record so it does not show up in a background check or credit report.

Explains how an eviction on your record can impact your ability to find housing.

Explains the process for requesting more time to move out when an Eviction Order has been entered in your case.

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

Understand how to avoid eviction if your landlord serves you a notice and then accepts rent money.

Describes a rent payment program for landlords and tenants with an eviction court case.

This Easy Form helps you respond to an eviction by telling the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. It also helps you make an Eviction Answer, Defenses, and Counterclaims form that tells how you respond to what is written in the complaint.

This blog explains what rights both tenants and landlords have in private and public housing have in terms of guests visiting the property. It also describes what legal action a landlord may take if their tenant violates guest policy.

Understand the law for landlords and tenants in Chicago, unless the building has 6 or less units and the landlord lives there.

A program to help you complete the forms to ask for more time in your rental unit before being evicted.

An article about tenants' rights when the landlord wants to end the lease.

Explains when it is legal or illegal for a landlord to change the locks or shut off the utilities in a rental unit or home.

Explains tenant-landlord repayment plans. Includes how to draft, how to communicate, and best practices.

A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.

Use free statewide court forms to resolve eviction cases in ways that help both renters and landlords.

Steps to take to protect your rights after being served with eviction papers.

Learn what changes and what stays the same for tenants when a rental building is in foreclosure.

Use this form if you were sued for eviction after your landlord posted the eviction notice on your door. It will help you dismiss the case because landlords must either hand-deliver or send the eviction notice via certified mail.

Explains how much time you will have to move out after a judge orders your eviction.

Get the facts on what happens if a tenant doesn't move out by the eviction date ordered by a judge.

A landlord cannot force a tenant to move to make repairs or renovations during their lease. Learn about tenant protections and lease renewal considerations in this situation.

This manual for lawyers outlines the case law, regulations, and history relevant to housing, landlord-tenant law, eviction, and people in poverty. It was created by Lawrence Wood, Director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago and Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School.

Describes the types of notices that can be given and how the notices can be delivered to the tenant.

Explains when a park owner can evict a tenant in a mobile home park.

Describes your options if you are being evicted from public housing.

Get the facts on how crime-free or nuisance ordinances impact tenants and landlords and when to seek legal help.

The Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, effective since 8/21/19, protects tenants from being evicted because they are undocumented. It also prohibits landlords from calling ICE on their tenants in order to evict them.

A program to help you demand that your landlord let you back into your home. Use this program to create a lockout letter if your landlord illegally locked you out or forced you out of your home.

Describes a tenant's right to a fair hearing after a voucher termination.

Your options if a public housing landlord refuses to renew your lease.

Steps for a tenant in public housing to request a grievance hearing to try and stop the eviction from happening.

A law took effect January 28, 2021 that gives tenants in Cook County rights against lockouts.

Learn about navigating the eviction process as a landlord or tenant, tenants' rights and responsibilities, resources for conflict resolution, and programs that can help.

Manual on statutory indications for eviction actions. 2023 edition