How Much Can You Raise The Rent in Illinois?

Contents

Market Your Property,
Screen Tenants, and
Collect Rent Online
with Landlord Studio

Get started for free
DISCLAIMER

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For accuracy and specific guidance on landlord-tenant laws, consult an attorney before making any decisions or taking action.

Overview

DEPOSIT

RENT CONTROL

NOTICE OF ENTRY LAWS

RE-KEYING LAWS

RENTAL AGREEMENT

LATE FEES & GRACE PERIODS

SMOKING LAWS

PET LAWS

While Illinois doesn’t have any rent stabilization or rent control laws it does have specific guidelines and limitations that dictate how much and how often landlords can raise rent. 

Landlords are free to set the rental price to keep it in line with market rates and increase the rent routinely, provided they give proper notice to tenants. 

This article aims to answer the question, “How much can landlords raise rent in Illinois?” We will also delve into the relevant laws that govern rent increases in the state and how you can leverage software like Landlord Studio to make collecting and managing rent payments as easyas possible.

Read more: When Should a Landlord Increase the Rent?

How Much Can You Raise Rent in Illinois?

Like the majority states in the U.S., Illinois does not have statewide rent control laws in place. This allows landlords to raise rent at almost any time, as long as they provide adequate advance notice to tenants. 

However, landlords should note that they cannot raise rent with a fixed-term lease in place. They can only increase the rent when the lease expires or the lease explicitly allows for such changes.

Despite the lack of statewide restrictions on rent increases, some cities have enacted their own rent control ordinances. For example, Reno has implemented a cap of 5% plus inflation on allowable rent increases. 

Additionally, landlords are prohibited from raising rent in a discriminatory manner or retaliating against tenants who assert their legal rights.

Read more: How Much Can A Landlord Raise The Rent?

How To Raise The Rent In Illinois

Despite the ack of statewide rent control as already mentioned, landlords cannot simply raise teh rent as much and whenever they want. Rent rates should be kept in line with market rates (large rent increases will likely see tenants vacating your property and could result in drown-out expensive vacancy periods), and rent increases cannot be implemented during a fixed-term lease.

Below is a step-by-step guide to navigating rent increases in Illinois.

Step 1: Determine Your New Rent Price

Start by establishing the new rent amount. To set a competitive price, research the local rental market and current trends. Look into median rental prices and consider factors like property location—proximity to schools, public transport, and amenities can significantly influence what tenants are willing to pay. 

Use online tools such as Rentometer or Zillow Rent Estimate for a thorough market analysis of rentals in your area.

Step 2: Provide Proper Notice

Depending on the city and lease type, landlords may be required to provide tenants with written notice of any intended rent increase. This notice period typically ranges from 30 to 120 days before the new rent takes effect, so ensure you communicate this well in advance.

Research the notice requirement for rent increases in your area to ensure legal compliance. 

Step 3: Comply with Fair Housing Laws

Although landlords have the discretion to raise rent, it is crucial that these increases comply with federal and state fair housing laws. Discriminatory practices—such as raising rent based on race, gender, religion, or familial status—are strictly prohibited. Always ensure that your actions align with these legal standards to avoid potential legal issues. 

Step 4: Review Lease Agreements

Before implementing a rent increase, carefully review the rental lease agreement. Make sure it includes provisions that allow for rent increases and outlines any necessary notice requirements. If it doesn’t, you will need to wait until the end of the lease term before increasing the rent.

Step 5: Open Communication

Maintaining a positive landlord-tenant relationship is vital. Communicate any proposed rent increases openly and transparently with your tenants. Providing clear reasons for the increase and encouraging tenants to ask questions or express concerns can create a more collaborative atmosphere.

Step 7: Understand Legal Considerations

Stay informed about Illinois rent increase laws 2025 to ensure compliance and be aware of tenant rights regarding potential disputes over increases. Remember, any rent increase perceived as retaliatory or discriminatory is illegal under state law.

Read more: How to Increase the Rent: Free Rent Increase Letter

Notice Periods for Rent Increases in Illinois [free template]

Notice requirements work differently in Illinois, unlike in most states. There’s no statewide mandate for notice periods. Also, only certain cities do require landlords to provide advance notice to tenants before raising rent. 

For cities that do require advance notice for rent increases, the written notice must clearly state the new rent amount and the date on which the increase will take effect. 

Below is a table that provides a comprehensive view of the different notice periods required based on lease duration across various cities in Illinois. 

City Lease Term Less Than 6 Months Lease Term: 6 Months to 3 Years Lease Term Beyond 3 Years
Chicago 30 days 60 days 120 days
Aurora 30 days 60 days 60 days
Rockford 30 days 60 days 60 days

Landlord Tips: During rent increases, clear communication benefits both landlords and tenants to foster a positive relationship and avoid potential disputes. 

Read more: How to Write a Friendly Landlord Rent Increase Letter

Useful resources: Download Free Rent Increase Notice Letter Template(s)

Mobile Home Tenancies

According to the Illinois Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act, there are certain rules that park owners must follow during rent increases in mobile home tenancies. Here are some of the key provisions outlined in the act:

  • Written Lease Requirement: Park owners are required to provide tenants with a written lease that spans a minimum of 24 months.
  • Rent Increase Notification: Rent increases cannot occur without a 90-day notice prior to the lease termination date. If you receive a notice of a rent increase, you have 30 days to inform the landlord of your decision to reject the increase and vacate the premises before it takes effect.
  • Mid-Lease Rent Adjustments: While rent cannot be increased during the lease term, the lease may include a provision for a rent increase between the first and second years of the 24-month agreement. Alternatively, the park owner can notify tenants of such an increase with 90-day notice.

Fair Housing Act Protections

There are several federal and state laws in place in Illinois that protect tenants’ rights during rent increases, notably the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Fair Housing Act

The FHA prohibits housing discrimination based on a variety of factors. These include race, color, national origin, religion, sex (which encompasses gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status (such as having children under 18), and disability. This legislation aims to ensure that everyone has equal access to housing opportunities.

Illinois Human Rights Act

Similarly, the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions. This law not only addresses the refusal to sell or rent properties but also protects against discriminatory pricing and other unequal terms or conditions in real estate dealings.

The Illinois Human Rights Act specifically forbids discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), pregnancy, age (40 and over), order of protection status, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender identity), military status, unfavorable military discharge, disability, arrest record, and familial status.

Conclusion: Rent Increases in Illinois

With great flexibility in Illinois, rent increases come great responsibilities. Landlords should ensure they comply with Illinois rent increase notice requirements and Fair Housing Act protections. This not only prevents disputes about rent increases but also helps landlords foster good relationships with their tenants.

To simplify your rent increase process, we recommend you use property management software like Landlord Studio. This user-friendly platform simplifies the entire process by streamlining rent collection, automating notifications for rent increases, and ensuring you stay organized and compliant with local regulations.

Create your free Landlord Studio account today to simplify and streamline rent collection and management.

Illinois Landlord Tenant Laws

Illinois Rent Increase FAQs

What legal procedures must landlords follow to increase rent in Illinois?

In Illinois, landlords are required to give tenants proper notice before implementing a rent increase. Generally, this means providing at least 30 days' notice if a rental agreement is in place, particularly in cities like Chicago. Additionally, any rent increase must comply with the Fair Housing Act, ensuring that it is not discriminatory or retaliatory.

Is there a maximum allowed rent increase percentage for Chicago residential leases?

While Chicago does not impose a specific cap on the percentage of rent increases, landlords must still provide a minimum of 30 days' notice. Although Illinois lacks statewide rent control, local regulations offer some protections for tenants against excessive increases.

How does Cook County regulate rent increases for tenants?

Cook County has established measures aimed at promoting fairness in rental practices, distinguishing it from other regions in Illinois. These regulations are designed to protect tenants from unjustified rent increases, especially given the absence of statewide rent control.