Illinois renters will get new protections against rental fees starting January 1, 2027. A state law will generally cap application fees at $50, ban charges for renewing or modifying a lease, and require landlords to disclose mandatory fees before tenants sign.
The law covers new and renewed residential leases entered into on or after January 1, including qualifying rentals in Chicago and its suburbs. Owner-occupied properties with six or fewer units are exempt from the main requirements. Tenants in those buildings can still request a written lease and ask about fees and how utilities are billed.
When Landlords Can Charge More Than $50
The $50 cap includes the cost of a background check. A landlord can charge more only when a third-party screening company actually charges more than $50, the landlord pays that cost upfront, and the landlord bills the applicant within 14 days of the check. The bill must include a receipt from the screening company.
If the landlord misses the deadline or fails to provide the receipt, the applicant does not owe the charge. Landlords also cannot add a separate fee that duplicates screening costs or covers expenses unrelated to screening.
For renters comparing apartments, the law requires covered landlords to disclose mandatory charges in the rental listing or through a link included in it. That applies to one-time charges as well as recurring fees. Landlords must also say whether the rent includes utilities, so prospective tenants can compare more than the advertised monthly rent.
What Changes When You Sign or Renew a Lease
Covered landlords must list all mandatory fees on the first page of the written lease. A renter does not owe a fee that the landlord leaves off that page. For an exempt owner-occupied building with six or fewer units, any fees must still appear in the written lease or another written agreement if the parties use a written lease.
Some charges are prohibited even if the landlord discloses them. These include fees for changing or renewing a lease, requesting maintenance after hours, or completing an in-person walkthrough at move-in or move-out. Landlords also cannot charge for routine upkeep or for pest control when the tenant did not contribute to the infestation.
A landlord cannot sidestep the restrictions by giving a prohibited charge a different name. If a dispute goes to court, the judge can consider what the fee actually covers. Tenants can bring a civil case over violations, and a court can order the landlord to stop the practice and award damages, court costs and legal fees. Cities and counties can keep or adopt stronger protections for renters.
