FAQs for Housing Services
What constitutes unhealthy living conditions?
This includes vacant buildings and abandoned cars. It includes trash, high noise, and industrial pollution. They can make you, your family and pets, and neighbors are unsafe or unhealthy.
What are my rights for repair as a renter?
Landlords are required to make necessary repairs in a timely manner. In Illinois, repairs must be made within 14 days after getting written notice from tenants. If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, Illinois tenants can make repairs and deduct from the rent, or sue the landlord for habitability violations.
What are my responsibilities as a tenant in Illinois?
- ● Keep the unit clean and undamaged.
- ● Remove any hazards and keep the unit safe for occupancy.
- ● Perform minor repairs and maintenance.
- ● Not disturb other tenants or neighbors.
What are reasons my landlord can evict me?
Nonpayment of rent, violation of lease terms, lease termination, foreclosure, and illegal acts. Landlords are not permitted to evict tenants in retaliation or for discriminatory reasons.
What are the rules on rent increase?
Illinois landlords can raise the rent by any amount, as often as they choose, as long as they avoid discrimination and do not increase the rent during the lease term. Illinois state law does not specify how much notice landlords must give before raising the rent.
What is the grace period for a late rent payment?
Landlords are not required to provide a grace period for the payment of rent before charging a late fee.
Does my landlord have right of entry?
Illinois doesn’t have a statewide law describing a landlord’s access rights on rented property, although many cities (like Chicago) have ordinances that specifically lay out rules like required advance notice. In general, the landlord can only enter for purposes reasonably related to the lease, at reasonable times, with reasonable advance notice.