Illinois Required Landlord Disclosures: What You Must Tell Tenants
Ensure compliance with Illinois required landlord disclosures, including lead paint, radon, shared utilities, and 2025 flood hazard laws.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
Providing the correct written disclosures is a fundamental part of the leasing process in Illinois. Since attaining statehood on December 3, 1818, Illinois has established a comprehensive framework of statutes to protect both parties. Omitting required attachments can render a lease voidable by the tenant or invite severe regulatory fines.
Official Law Citation: The rules and regulations outlined on this page are governed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes (765 ILCS 705 - Landlord and Tenant Act).
Federal Disclosures
Lead-Based Paint
In accordance with federal law, landlords renting properties built before 1978 must:
- Disclose all known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the unit.
- Attach a lead warning statement to the lease.
- Provide tenants with the EPA-approved information pamphlet, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home."
Statewide Illinois Disclosures
1. Radon Hazard Disclosure
Under the Radon Awareness Act (420 ILCS 46/26), landlords are not required to test for radon. However, for any lease of a dwelling unit located below the third story above ground level, the landlord must provide the tenant with:
- The IEMA-OHS pamphlet "Radon Guide for Tenants".
- The "Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards to Tenants" form.
- Copies of any records or reports pertaining to radon concentrations that indicate a hazard.
These documents must be provided at the time of application or before the lease is entered into.
2. Residential Real Property Disclosure Act
Under the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 77), landlords engaging in specific residential leasing arrangements, such as a lease with an option to purchase or a ground lease, must provide a written disclosure report regarding the material conditions of the property before the contract is signed.
3. Shared Utilities / Master Meter
If a tenant's utility meter measures electricity, gas, or water usage for areas outside of their specific unit (such as common areas, laundry rooms, or other units), the landlord must disclose this in the lease per the Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 740). They must clearly explain how the utility bill is divided and provide past utility bills upon request.
4. Concession Disclosures
If a landlord is offering a rent concession (e.g., "first month free"), the Rent Concession Act (765 ILCS 730/3) mandates that the lease must bear a legend across the face and text thereof, plainly legible and in letters not less than one-half inch in height, consisting of the words "Concession Granted." Additionally, the lease must contain a memorandum on the margin or across the face stating the amount, extent, and nature of the concession.
5. Flood Hazard Disclosure (New for 2025)
Effective January 1, 2025, under 765 ILCS 705/25, landlords must disclose in writing prior to the execution of the lease if a dwelling unit is located in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area. For lower-level units (garden, basement, or first floor), landlords must also disclose if the unit or real property has experienced flooding in the last 10 years and the frequency of such flooding.
Local Ordinance Disclosures
Different municipalities carry varying disclosure requirements.
Chicago (CRLTO)
Landlords operating in Chicago must supply tenants with several unique documents:
- A summary of the CRLTO itself.
- Information regarding security deposit interest.
- Information regarding bed bug protocols and reporting.
- Contact information of the property owner/manager who is authorized to receive legal notices.
- A disclosure of any pending building code violations against the property.
Suburban Cook County (RTLO)
The RTLO requires similar extensive disclosures to Chicago, including owner contact details and a summary of the tenant rights outlined in the ordinance.
Best Practices
Always include these disclosures as explicit addenda attached to the standard lease agreement. Require the tenant to initial each separate disclosure to document that they were provided and reviewed.
How Landager Helps
Landager tracks lease terms, required compliance items, and accounting records - making it easy to stay compliant with Illinois regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What disclosures must Illinois landlords provide to tenants?
Illinois landlords must disclose lead-based paint hazards for pre-1978 buildings, radon hazards if testing reveals elevated levels, flood zone status and flooding history within the past 10 years (new in 2025), and shared utility meter arrangements where tenants may be paying for common area utilities. Chicago adds additional required disclosures including building code violations, foreclosure proceedings, and the full text of the CRLTO summary.
▶What are the Illinois landlord-tenant laws every property owner should know?
Illinois landlord-tenant law is a mix of state statutes (765 ILCS) and powerful local ordinances. The state provides a baseline framework covering security deposits, eviction procedures, and habitability, but cities like Chicago (CRLTO), Evanston, and suburban Cook County (RTLO) impose significantly stricter requirements around deposit returns, late fees, and tenant remedies. Non-compliance with local ordinances can result in severe penalties.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Illinois eviction process and how long does it take?
Illinois eviction follows the Forcible Entry and Detainer process. For non-payment, landlords serve a 5-Day Notice to Quit. For lease violations, a 10-Day Notice to Quit is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, 30 days' notice is needed. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings) are strictly prohibited. In Chicago, the CRLTO imposes additional notice requirements and tenant cure periods that landlords must follow.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Illinois security deposit limit and return deadline?
Illinois state law does not cap security deposit amounts, but Cook County, Evanston, and Oak Park limit deposits to 1.5 times the monthly rent. State law requires deposits to be returned within 45 days of move-out. If deductions are made for property damage, an itemized statement with paid receipts must be provided within 30 days. Chicago's CRLTO requires deposits in interest-bearing accounts with annual interest payments to tenants.
Read the complete guide▶Does Illinois have rent control or caps on rent increases?
No. Illinois passed the Rent Control Preemption Act, which prohibits any city or municipality from enacting rent control measures. There are no state limits on how much a landlord can increase rent. During a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased unless the lease explicitly allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice before any increase takes effect.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Chicago RLTO and how does it affect landlords?
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (CRLTO) is one of the most powerful local tenant protection laws in the country. It imposes strict rules on security deposit handling (interest-bearing accounts required), mandates specific lease disclosures, limits late fees, and provides tenants with aggressive remedies including the ability to recover twice the deposit amount if a landlord violates the ordinance. Landlords operating in Chicago must comply with both state law and the CRLTO.
Read the complete guide▶What are Illinois landlord maintenance obligations and habitability standards?
Illinois enforces an implied warranty of habitability, requiring residential properties to be fit for human occupation and comply with building, housing, and health codes. Tenants can use the 'repair and deduct' remedy (765 ILCS 742) for repairs costing less than $500 or half a month's rent — they give 14 days' written notice, have the work done professionally, and deduct the cost from rent. Chicago's CRLTO provides even stronger tenant remedies for habitability failures.
Read the complete guide▶What are the late fee rules for rental properties in Illinois?
Illinois state law does not impose a specific cap on late fees but requires them to be reasonable and stated in the lease. Chicago's CRLTO is more restrictive, capping late fees at $10 per month for rent under $500, and 5% of the monthly rent amount for higher rents. The CRLTO also mandates a 5-day grace period before any late fee can be assessed. Violations of these limits can trigger tenant remedies under the ordinance.
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