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Renting a home in Illinois can be costly, and that’s why many tenants often ask, “Why is rent so high in Illinois?” The answer lies in the shortage of at least 142,000 units amidst rising demand and changing market trends.
For landlords, understanding how much they can legally raise rent is just as important. While Illinois doesn’t have a statewide cap on rent increases, there are still important rules to follow, like providing proper notice to tenants.
Continue reading the blog, as we’ll break down when and how much a landlord can raise rent in IL, what the legal requirements are, and what tenants can do if the hike feels too high.
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois?
How much can a landlord raise rent in IL? Without any state-level rent control measures in place, it’s completely up to a landlord to decide on the new rent rate.
They can increase it by 5%, 10%, or even 15%. So, if you’re wondering, “Can my landlord raise my rent $300?”
Yes, they can! This is because of the Rent Control Preemption Act of 1997, which banned individual cities and counties from having rent control policies.
If you want to know about what is the Rent Control Preemption Act in Illinois, you can read it here.
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois Per Year?
A landlord can raise rent by any amount per year, provided they notify the tenant a few days prior based on their lease type and duration. This is mandatory as per the laws; otherwise, tenants can continue to rent the unit at the old rate or talk to tenant unions and groups like Housing Action Illinois and Metropolitan Tenants Organization(MTO).
What Is the Limit for Month-to-Month Rent Increase in Illinois?
There’s no limit for month-to-month rent increases in Illinois, as long as the landlord provides sufficient notice to the tenant in writing.
Is There a Limit on Rent Increase in Illinois?
No, there’s been no rent control in Illinois since 1997. Some cities, including Chicago, had enacted rent control ordinances during the housing shortage after World War II; the Illinois State Supreme Court overturned them in January 1947.
How Often Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois?
A landlord can raise rent as often as they wish in IL; however, no rent hike is allowed in the middle of a lease term unless the agreement says so or without proper notice. If a tenant is on a fixed-term lease, they are also protected from an increased rent before its expiry.
Rent Increase Notice in Illinois by Government
While landlords can adjust rent freely in Illinois, they cannot do it without informing tenants beforehand. So, how much notice for rent increase in Illinois? This largely depends on the duration of the lease, i.e., the length of the agreement signed between the two parties:
- 30-Day Notice: If the lease term is less than 6 months
- 60-Day Notice: If the lease term is more than 6 months but less than 3 years
- 120-Day Notice: If the lease term is more than 3 years
These notice requirements apply to all residential rental units in IL. Some cities also have separate ordinances to protect tenants’ right to quality, affordable, safe, and healthy homes.
For example, the Chicago City Council passed the Chicago Fair Notice Ordinance in July 2020 to give renters more stability in their rented homes.
Can a Landlord Raise Rent More Than 10% in Illinois?
Yes, a landlord can raise rent by more than 10% in Illinois. Since the state banned rent control laws with the passage of the Rent Control Preemption Act in 1997, landlords can dictate market rates for rent without restrictions.
They, however, are required to deliver proper notice before raising rent for it to be legal.
What Are the New Rental Laws in Illinois 2025?
Curious about “what is the new rent law in Illinois?”
In 2025, the state has introduced updated tenant protections and notice requirements for rent increases.
Security Deposit
In Illinois, landlords can charge any amount for a security deposit, but it’s often one month’s rent. According to 765 ILCS 710, they must return it within 30-45 days after a tenant moves out, with an itemized list of any deductions for damages or unpaid rent. For properties with 25 or more units, landlords must pay interest yearly if the deposit is held over 6 months. If that’s the case, deposits must be kept in a separate bank account.
If landlords don’t follow these rules, tenants can sue for up to twice the amount of the security deposit due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Eviction
Illinois landlords can evict tenants for not paying rent, breaking lease rules, or illegal activities. For non-payment, they must give a 5-Day Notice to pay or leave. For lease violations, a 10-Day Notice is required. Illegal acts also get a 5-Day Notice to leave without fixing the issue. If the issue remains unattended, landlords must go through court, not lock tenants out, which amounts to “self-help evictions.”
Subletting
Subletting in Illinois means renting your place to someone else while you’re still responsible for the lease. Most leases require landlord approval before subletting. If the lease doesn’t mention subletting, tenants must still ask permission, and landlords can’t unreasonably say no. If tenants sublet without approval, they risk eviction. The original tenant stays responsible for rent and damages unless the landlord releases them.
Discrimination
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against tenants by landlords and property managers because of:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Familial status
- Gender identity
- Source of income
- Disability
- Immigration status
Lease Renewal
Leases can renew automatically or end based on the agreement in IL. Month-to-month leases renew each month unless either side gives 30 days’ notice to end it. Year-long leases need 60 days’ notice for non-renewal. If a tenant stays after the lease ends and the landlord accepts rent, it becomes month-to-month.
Chicago requires 60-120 days’ notice for non-renewal, depending on tenancy length. It’s a good idea to check the lease for specific rules and local laws before signing it, like in Cook County, for extra requirements.
Lease Termination
To end a lease in Illinois, notice depends on the lease type: 7 days for week-to-week, 30 days for month-to-month, and 60 days for year-long leases. Tenants can end leases early for reasons like unsafe conditions, domestic violence, or military deployment with 30 days’ notice. Landlords must try to re-rent the unit if a tenant breaks the lease. Tenants may still owe rent until a new tenant is found.
Property Access
Illinois landlords must give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before entering a rental for non-emergency reasons, like repairs, inspections, or showing the dwelling unit to new tenants. In Chicago, it’s 48 hours, and entry must be on weekdays between 8 AM and 6 PM. Landlords can enter without notice for emergencies, like a fire or flood.
Tenants have a right to privacy, and landlords can’t abuse access or harass them. If a landlord enters illegally, tenants can take legal action.
How to Manage Your Rental Property and Rent Collection Online?
A landlord’s day is very hectic with so many things to juggle simultaneously, from reminding tenants about rent due dates to coordinating repair work with contractors. What is the best way for landlords to collect rent? The answer is using property management software. It simplifies rent collection, sends automatic reminders, and helps landlords manage their rental properties more efficiently, all from one platform.
Here’s an example. The best property management software for property managers and landlords lets them set up automatic rent collection, so tenants can pay online, and the money goes straight to their saved bank account, which can be more than one. No more chasing checks! It also sends alerts if a payment is late, helping you stay on top of things.
Online tools also track expenses and generate reports automatically, making it simple to see your property’s income and costs. You can even use these tools to screen tenants or schedule maintenance. This saves time, reduces mistakes, and keeps everything organized, so you can focus on growing your rental business without stress.
How Does RentPost Help Manage Your Rental Property and Rent Collection?
RentPost makes managing your rental property and rent collection stress-free with its full suite of features, which include:
- Tenant Screening: Screen tenants end-to-end with thorough background checks, credit checks, eviction history, identity verification, and more.
- Payment Tracking in Real-Time: With RentPost, you can track rent payments and outstanding balances in real-time, with the status of each payment just a click away.
- Automatic Payment Reminders: No more chasing payments, thanks to automated payment reminders that mean no more late rent payments. RentPost Pro automatically calculates and applies late fees based on the schedules you define.
- Financial Reports on Your Fingertips: Get valuable insights into your rental property’s finances through income and expense reports. Identify the right time to adjust rent prices based on your property’s performance.
- Scale Your Rental Business Easily With RentPost: Scale your business with RentPost, which makes it really easy to add new units and tenants as your rental portfolio grows.
These are a few reasons why landlords and property managers choose RentPost for property management.
👉 Learn rent increase laws in different US states:
- How much can you raise rent in California?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in New Jersey?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent In Florida?
- How much can you raise rent in NYC?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in Oregon?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in Los Angeles?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in San Diego?
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in Pennsylvania?
- Rent increase laws in Chicago
- How Much Can You Raise Rent in Massachusetts?
Raise Rent in Illinois: FAQs
Is There a Limit to How Much Rent Can be Increased in Illinois?
There’s no limit to how much a landlord can raise rent in IL. Landlords can raise the rent as much as they want unless the property is in a city with rent control. But most cities in Illinois, including Chicago, don’t have rent control laws.
Can a Landlord Raise the Rent Without Giving Notice in Illinois?
No, landlords in Illinois must give notice before raising the rent. If the tenant rents month-to-month, the landlord must give at least 30 days’ notice. This gives the tenant time to decide if they want to stay or move. The new rent starts after the notice period ends.
Do Rent Increase Laws Apply to All Types of Properties in Illinois?
Most rental properties in Illinois follow the same rent rules. But public housing or government-assisted units have special rules. Those properties may have rent limits or yearly increases. Private rentals, like apartments or houses, don’t have rent caps unless the local city has passed special rent control laws.
Are There Exceptions to the Rent Cap in Illinois?
Since Illinois doesn’t have a state rent cap, there aren’t really exceptions. But if a property is under a special housing program, like the Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8), then rent increases must follow federal or program rules. These rules might limit how much and how often rent can go up.
Can Rent be Increased During a Fixed-Term Lease in Illinois?
No, rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease in Illinois unless the lease says so. The rent stays the same until the lease ends. After the lease ends, the landlord can raise the rent, but only after giving proper notice before the new lease begins.
What Are Tenants’ Rights if They Can’t Afford a Rent Increase in Illinois?
If tenants can’t afford a rent increase, they can try talking to the landlord to ask for a smaller increase or more time to pay the new rent. If that doesn’t work, which is rare, they may need to move out. Tenants also have the right to get proper notice and not be forced out without a legal process.
What Happens if a Landlord Increases Rent Without Following the Law in Illinois?
A: If a landlord increases rent without giving proper notice, tenants don’t have to pay the higher rent right away. They can ask the landlord to follow the rules, and if there’s still a disagreement, tenants can get help from Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) or Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to fix the issue.
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