There are now new laws for landlords about what you can do and cannot do in Illinois. In 2024, Illinois introduced several new regulations that significantly impact how landlords operate. From utility protections to fair housing updates, these changes are designed to modernize property management and enhance tenant rights. As a landlord, understanding these laws is vital for maintaining a successful rental business.
We at Nex-Gen Real Estate, one of the best property management companies in Schaumburg, will help you understand and adapt to these new laws.
So without further ado, here are the key 2024 laws for landlords in Illinois:
1. Utility Disconnection Protections (Public Act 103-0019)
One of the new 2024 laws for landlords is Public Act 103-0019, which aims to protect tenants from utility disconnections during extreme weather. Landlords no longer need to worry about utility cutoffs on scorching days. If the temperature is forecasted to reach 90°F or higher, utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting gas or electric services, even if bills are unpaid. This protection extends to heat advisories, holidays, and weekends when temperatures are expected to hit 95°F or more.
2. Electric Vehicle Charging Act
The second of the most crucial new laws for landlords is The Electric Vehicle Charging Act. It requires new homes and residential buildings to be equipped with EV charging infrastructure. For landlords, this means any new construction or renovation projects after 2023 must include at least one EV-capable parking spot per unit. Renters can also install their own EV chargers, but landlords can enforce safety and aesthetic standards.
Tenants must hire a licensed contractor and provide insurance that includes you, the landlord. The EV charger stays the tenant’s property unless they decide to sell it. Maintenance, repairs, and removal are all up to them.
Failure to comply with these new laws for landlords can result in fines up to $1,000, and tenants tenants may take legal action to recover attorney fees.
3. Rent Payment Flexibility (Public Act 103-0132)
Public Act 103-0132 prohibits landlords from demanding that rent be paid exclusively through electronic methods such as bank transfers or online portals. Tenants must have the option to pay using checks, money orders, or cash. Violating this could result in penalties under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. So it’s essential to offer flexible payment options to tenants.
4. Temperature Control Standards (Public Act 103-0161)
Public Act 103-0161 sets new heating and cooling standards for rentals catering to tenants aged 55 and older. During the cooling season (June 1 - September 30), landlords must ensure cooling systems are operational when the heat index exceeds 80°F. For heating, the requirement is to maintain a minimum temperature of 68°F during the day and 62°F at night from October 1 to May 31 when outside temperatures fall below 55°F. If your property doesn’t have a common indoor area, you’re off the hook.
5. Security Deposit Updates (Public Act 103-0224)
Public Act 103-0224 mandates all landlords, regardless of property size, to provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 days of a tenant moving out. If deductions are made, receipts or estimates, even for repairs you made yourself, must be included. If you can’t provide receipts due to circumstances beyond your control, you still need to list the costs and explain why receipts are missing. Failing to provide this documentation could result in penalties, including the return of double the security deposit plus court costs.
6. Fair Housing Law Updates (Public Act 103-0232)
The new laws for landlords in 2024 also include updates to fair housing regulations. Public Act 103-0232 makes it illegal to discriminate in real estate transactions based on a person’s immigration status. The law also expands protections to include familial status, source of income, arrest records, and support animals like guide dogs. However, there are specific exceptions, such as child sex offenders refusing to rent to families with children under 18.
In addition, Public Act 103-0785 updates the Illinois Human Rights Act, adding protections against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and more—including reproductive health decisions like contraception and fertility care.
7. No Indoor Vaping (Public Act 103-0272)
Under Public Act 103-0272, smoking bans now extend to vaping devices like e-cigarettes. This ban applies to all indoor common areas such as lobbies and hallways, and within 15 feet of any public entrance.
8. Radon Awareness and Mitigation (Public Act 103-0298)
Public Act 103-0298 requires landlords to provide tenants with radon hazard information at the start of the lease. Tenants are allowed to test for radon within the first 90 days, and if high levels are found, they can terminate the lease unless further testing confirms safe levels. You can’t withhold a security deposit for radon costs unless the tenant installed the system without consent or incorrectly. Always provide an itemized statement if you withhold any part of the deposit.
9. Flood Hazard Disclosure (Public Act 103-0754)
Starting January 1, 2025, landlords must disclose if a property is located in a EMA-designated flood zoneor has flooded within the last 10 years. This information must be included in the lease, with details about past flooding incidents, especially for lower-level units. Failure to disclose flood risks can result in tenants terminating their lease within 30 days of discovery and seeking compensation.
10. Reusable Tenant Screening Reports (Public Act 103-0840)
To simplify the rental process, Public Act 103-0840 introduces reusable tenant screening reports, which can be used for multiple applications within 30 days. Landlords cannot charge an application fee if the report meets their criteria and is provided free of charge. You can still collect additional application details if needed—just no extra fees for the reusable report.
11. Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act
The Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act requires landlords to include a summary of tenants' rights regarding domestic and sexual violence protections in the first page of all residential leases starting January 1, 2026. This summary, prepared by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, ensures tenants are aware of their rights and protections under various housing laws. The tenant’s signature on the lease shows you’ve fulfilled your obligation. Otherwise you could face fines of up to $2,000 or more. Tenants who take legal action and win can also recover court costs and attorney's fees.
12. Prohibition of Unfair Service Agreements Act
This act protects landlords from unfair service agreements that delay service for over a year, bind future owners without consent or create unauthorized liens on the property. Such agreements are deemed unenforceable, shielding landlords from deceptive business practices. If an unfair agreement is recorded, you can take it to court to declare it invalid and recover damages, legal costs, and attorney fees.
13. The Landlord Retaliation Act
The last but most important of the new laws for landlords is The Landlord Retaliation Act. It prevents landlords from taking retaliatory actions against tenants exercising their legal rights, such as reporting code violations, joining a tenants' union, testifying in court, or requesting repairs. Retaliatory actions can lead to legal consequences, including damages and attorney fees. But if you have a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason like unpaid rent or property damage, you can defend your actions in court.
Conclusion
Navigating the 2024 laws for landlords in Illinois requires careful attention to new regulations that impact everything from utility disconnections to fair housing practices. By staying informed and adapting to these changes, landlords can ensure compliance and foster positive relationships with their tenants. These updates reflect Illinois’ commitment to modernizing landlord-tenant relationships, promoting environmental responsibility, and protecting tenant rights.
