House & Apartment

No, a landlord can’t force you to move to make repairs or renovations during your lease. Either a temporarily or a permanently move is not allowed. As a renter in Illinois, you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your apartment. This means that your landlord cannot, for example, enter your apartment without your permission, It doesn't apply if you agree on their right to enter in your lease. Your lease cannot be changed without your permission.

Even though your landlord can’t force you to move to make renovations, they can certainly ask you to. For example, they may ask you if you’re willing to:

• End your lease early,
• Temporarily move to another unit,
• Permanently move to another unit, or
• Pay a discounted rental rate for partial renovation. It means you can stay in the apartment while the repairs are being done.

Make sure that the conditions of the move are in writing if you are willing to move out. It can be either a temporary or a permanent move. This written document will be an addendum or a document explaining the lease changes. The document should include: 

• A list of the renovations to be done, 
• The time frame they will be done in, and 
• Any promises that your landlord has made to you. 

Examples of these promises could be that the landlord will cover the cost of your move or discount your rent. The addendum must be signed by both you and the landlord.

Can my landlord threaten me with ending my lease early to make repairs or renovations? 

If you are not willing to move out, either temporarily or permanently, it is against the law for your landlord to retaliate by: 

• Increasing your rent, 
• Trying to evict you, 
• Shutting off your utilities, or 
• Doing anything else that interferes with your tenancy during your lease.

Can my landlord threaten me with eviction to make repairs or renovations?

There are many reasons why a landlord would have a right to evict you, but evicting you only to make repairs or renovations is not one of those reasons. If you suspect that your landlord is trying to force you out only for repairs or renovations, you can use a defense (legal reason) to ask a judge to throw out your eviction case. For example, you can argue that: 

• Your landlord has forced you out of the property without an eviction order, or 
• They have changed the locks to your apartment before your lease is up for the sole reason to make repairs or renovations. 

Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease because I did not allow repairs or renovations?

A landlord can refuse to renew your lease for any reason without an automatic renewal clause in the lease. The only condition for this is that your landlord must give you proper notice that they will not be renewing your lease. Learn more about ending a lease.