| Rent Increase Facts | Answer |
| Reason Needed? | No |
| Maximum Amount | None |
| Required Notice | No Statute |
Does Illinois Have Rent Control Laws?
Illinois does not have rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for rent. In addition, state law prohibits local governments from establishing rent control laws .
When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois?
Landlords in Illinois can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:
- Give the tenant reasonable notice
- Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory reasons
- Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
Although Illinois landlords are always required to act in good faith, the state law is silent on landlord retaliation. However, in some cities in Illinois, local laws specifically prevent landlords from raising rent in retaliation.
When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois?
Landlords in Illinois may not raise the rent if:
- It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement).
- The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act.
- The increase is applied in a way that violates the Illinois Human Rights Act, by discriminating against a tenant’s age, military status, arrest record, pregnancy, history of domestic violence, and source of income.
In some cities in Illinois, local law specifically prevents landlords from increasing rent in retaliation. For example, in Chicago, an action by a landlord is considered retaliatory if it occurs within one year after something a tenant does.
Rent increases in Chicago are considered retaliatory if they are in response to a tenant:
- Filing a complaint with the appropriate agency regarding the health or safety of the property
- Seeking the assistance of a community organization or news media to remedy a violation
- Joining or organizing a tenants’ group or union
- Testifying in court regarding the premises
- Exercising any legal right or remedy
- Requesting repairs
Although most states have laws protecting tenants from rent increases due to retaliation, Illinois retaliation law currently only covers evictions and lease renewals.
How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Illinois?
Landlords in Illinois can increase rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time.
How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Illinois?
Unlike most other states, Illinois law does not require a specific notice period before raising rent, but cities may enact their own notice requirements.
For example, in Chicago, unless the rental unit is exempt, landlords that intend to increase rent are required to give tenants a written notice before the end of the lease term as follows:
- 30-day notice for lease terms shorter than six months.
- 60-day notice for lease terms between six months to three years.
- 120-day notice for lease terms longer than three years.
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Illinois?
In Illinois, landlords can raise rent by any amount that they wish. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.
Sources
- 1 50 ILCS 825/5
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A unit of local government…shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged…
Source Link - 2 Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-150
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…if there is evidence of tenant conduct protected herein within one year prior to the alleged act of retaliation, that evidence shall create a rebuttable presumption that the landlord’s conduct was retaliatory.
Source Link - 3 Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-130
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…the following notice requirements shall apply…tenancy of less than six months…30 days…tenancy of six months to three years…60 days…tenancy greater than three years…120 days…
Source Link
