House and high rise apartment building

House & Apartment

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Tenants' rights and rental housing

Learn about tenants' rights from rental applications and security deposits to repairs, pest control, and utilities.

Basics of public utilities during the winter
Explains the guidelines that public utility companies must follow during the winter or heating season between December 1 and the following March 31, for general consumers.
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Common eviction defenses
A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.
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Reasons a utility company may shut off service
Explains that utility companies must give you a 10 day notice before shutting off service and must have a good reason.
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Public utility service basics
Defines public utilities, explains that services must be provided equally and fairly, and gives information on resolving issues.
Guide
Unhealthy living conditions in my neighborhood
This article describes what is an unhealthy living condition and what you can do to fix the situation
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Rental living conditions
(12 resources)
Rental living conditions basics
Learn about how Illinois housing providers must maintain safe and livable conditions, tenants can be protected from retaliation for reporting concerns, and people can request rental repairs.
Guide
Lockouts and emergency rental repairs
Find out what counts as an illegal lockout and how to get emergency rental repairs in Illinois.
FAQ
Rental repair rights and landlord access
Learn about tenants' rental repair rights, including the right to repair and deduct, and when landlords can enter units for repairs.
FAQ
Dealing with pests in rental housing
Learn about how to deal with bugs, rodents, and other pests in a rental home.
FAQ
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Finding rental housing
(3 resources)
Sample Illinois lease
A sample lease for tenants and landlords that you can use to create your own version.
Form download
What do landlords have to tell tenants?
Statewide, there are only 4 situations that require landlords to disclose anything to tenants. Chicago landlords must do more.
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Applying for housing basics
Clarify private housing applications and lease requirements, and discover safety tips for finding legitimate rentals.
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Security deposits and fees
(12 resources)
Small claims complaint
A program to help you make the forms to sue someone for up to $10,000. It can be used to sue a landlord for a security deposit.
Easy Form
Getting or returning a security deposit
How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.
Guide
Security deposit demand letter
A program to help you demand that your former landlord return your security deposit.
Easy Form
Paying interest on security deposits
Explains when a landlord has to pay security deposit interest and how much to pay.
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