In 2025, Illinois rent increase laws have several important aspects tenants should be aware of, reflecting both state-level rules and specific regulations in cities like Chicago. Here is a detailed overview:
Illinois Statewide Rent Increase Laws 2025
No Statewide Rent Control Yet
- Illinois currently does not have statewide rent control, meaning there is no legal cap on how much landlords can increase rent annually for most residential leases.
- However, landlords must provide proper advance notice of rent increases, typically at least 30 days for month-to-month leases.
Notice Requirements
- Landlords must notify tenants of rent increases in writing, generally at least 30 days before the increase takes effect.
- For leases longer than month-to-month, notice periods may vary depending on lease terms.
Tenant Protections and Transparency
- Landlords cannot require tenants to pay rent exclusively via electronic funds transfer; tenants have the right to choose their payment method, including cash or check.
- Landlords must provide written receipts for rent payments and security deposits to enhance transparency and reduce disputes.
- Security deposit rules have been updated: landlords must return deposits within 45 days after tenancy ends and provide detailed written receipts for deposits received and returned.
Pending and Proposed Legislation
- The Tenant Protection Act (House Bill 3874) is under consideration and would introduce statewide rent control measures, including:
- Limiting rent increases to no more than 5% annually
- Requiring 180 days’ notice for increases over 5%
- Preventing rent increases more than once per year
- Prohibiting rent increases during the first year of a lease
- Another bill, HB3687, proposes allowing local governments to enact rent control if approved by voters, repealing the statewide ban on local rent control.
- The Mobile Home Tenant Protection Act seeks to cap rent increases in mobile home parks at 3% annually, with adjustments allowed based on CPI but capped at 5% starting in 2027, plus protections against unfair fees.
Chicago Specific Rent Increase Laws 2025
Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO)
- Chicago has its own landlord-tenant ordinance that governs rent increases and tenant protections, although it must comply with the state Rent Control Preemption Act which bans traditional rent control.
- Landlords must provide written notice before increasing rent:
- At least 30 days for leases under 6 months
- 60 days for leases between 6 months and 3 years
- 120 days for leases longer than 3 years
- For properties participating in Chicago’s Low-Income Housing Trust Fund program, rent increases are capped at 5% annually.
Legal Justification and Tenant Protections
- Rent increases must not be discriminatory and must comply with fair housing laws.
- Tenants have the right to contest unreasonable rent hikes and seek legal aid if they face retaliation or unjust increases.
Notice Delivery Requirements
- Rent increase notices must be written and delivered personally, by certified mail, or as specified in the lease agreement to ensure proper documentation and avoid disputes.
Summary for Tenants in Illinois in 2025
- Expect at least 30 days’ written notice for any rent increase statewide.
- No statewide rent control yet, but bills are pending that may limit increases to 5% annually and require longer notice periods.
- Tenants have the right to choose how to pay rent and must receive receipts for payments and deposits.
- Security deposits must be returned within 45 days with proper documentation.
- Chicago tenants have additional protections, including longer notice periods based on lease length and caps on rent increases for certain affordable housing programs.
- Mobile home park residents may soon gain specific rent increase caps and protections if pending legislation passes.
Tenants should stay informed about evolving legislation, especially the Tenant Protection Act and HB3687, as these could significantly change rent increase rules in Illinois soon.
Sources:
- https://www.oflaherty-law.com/learn-about-law/illinois-landlord-tenant-law-changes
- https://www.hemlane.com/resources/illinois-rent-control-laws/
- https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB3687/2025
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-chicago-il
- https://nlihc.org/resource/illinois-passes-new-tenant-protections-renters
