Illinois Rental Fee Law 2027: What Renters Over 45 Should Check

Illinois renters get new fee rules on January 1, 2027. A state law, House Bill 3564, caps most application fees at $50 and requires landlords to list every required fee on the first page of the lease. If you are 45 or older and planning a move, check the fee list before you pay anything.

This guide is for Simply Forties readers who rent in Illinois, or who plan to. It covers what the law changes, which fees stay legal and the questions to ask before you sign. Renters elsewhere can use the same checklist, since fee rules vary by state.

What Does Illinois HB 3564 Change for Renters?

The Illinois governor signed HB 3564 on June 26, 2026. It amends the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act, so it covers the whole state and not only Chicago. A follow-up bill moved the start date to January 1, 2027, according to a property management company's summary of the law.

The core idea is fee transparency. Every non-optional fee, whether one-time or monthly, has to appear on the first page of the lease. The same fees must show in any listing or ad that states the rent. A fee that is not on page one is not owed by the tenant.

That summary comes from a landlord-side source, not the bill text. Read the enrolled bill or ask a free tenant advice service to confirm details that matter to you. Simply Forties editors cannot give legal advice, and the details of your own lease decide your rights.

How Much Can a Landlord Charge for an Application?

Most application and screening fees are capped at $50. A landlord can charge more only by documenting that the actual third-party screening cost was higher. The landlord then has to pay the screening company up front and bill you within 14 days with a receipt. If that does not happen, the fee is waived.

The law also bars a second fee that duplicates screening costs. A renter who applies for three apartments could once have paid $75 for each. The cap changes that math.

You can also ask to see the screening report. If an application is denied because of a tenant screening report, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says you can request that report, as described on its credit reports and scores page. Checking it matters, because errors can cost you a home.

Which Fees Are Now Banned?

The law lists several fees that no disclosure can cure. According to the summary, these include fees for lease renewals and lease changes, and fees for eviction notices before a court order. They also include after-hours maintenance requests, contacting the landlord about tenancy matters and routine maintenance.

Other banned items include travel fees for repairs, maintenance hotline fees and move-in or move-out walkthrough fees. Pest treatment fees are barred when the tenant did not cause the infestation.

Renewal fees are worth special attention for midlife renters. Many people in their fifties plan to stay in one place for years. A fee at each renewal adds up, and the new rule removes it.

Which Fees Are Still Allowed?

Several charges stay legal if they are disclosed. Security deposits have no statewide cap. Non-refundable move-in fees and pet fees or pet rent have no cap either. Earlier drafts included a move-in fee cap and a one-month deposit limit, but neither made the final law.

That is a gap worth planning around. A landlord can still ask for a large deposit, so budget for it. Our rent affordability work, including the HUD Fair Market Rents for FY2027 guide, shows how deposits and rents interact with a tight budget.

Ask for the deposit terms in writing. You want the amount, the bank where it is held and the date it must be returned. Those details protect you at move-out.

Who Is Exempt From the New Rules?

Owner-occupied dwellings in buildings with six units or fewer are exempt. The owner has to live on the property for the exemption to apply. A six-unit building run by an absent owner is covered.

Local rules can add more. Chicago and Cook County have their own tenant ordinances, with separate exemptions and requirements. If you rent in either, check the local rules as well as the state law.

Many midlife renters live in small buildings or in a unit above a landlord. In that case, the new law may not reach you. Ask the landlord plainly whether the property is owner-occupied, and ask for the answer in writing.

Does the Law Change Leases You Already Hold?

Not right away. The law applies to agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2027. Your current lease does not need to be amended now. A renewal signed after the effective date is covered.

That makes your next renewal a good time to review the fee page. Compare the new lease with your old one. If a fee shows up that was not on the first page, point to the rule and ask for it to be removed.

Enforcement is through the courts. According to the summary, the law has no fixed penalty amount and relies on a private right of action for damages and attorney's fees. In practice, many disputes end with a letter, so keep copies of everything.

How Do You Check a Lease Before Signing?

Use this short checklist with any lease, in Illinois or elsewhere. Each step takes minutes and can save hundreds of dollars.

The second step is where many renters get surprised. A $1,500 apartment with $120 in required monthly fees really costs $1,620. Over twelve months, that is $1,440 more than the ad suggested.

What Should Fixed-Income Renters Think About?

Many readers in their fifties plan to rent into retirement. That makes a predictable monthly total more important than a low headline price. Our guide to Social Security as a main retirement income shows how to size what you can afford once paychecks stop.

A common rule of thumb says housing should take no more than 30% of income. Fees count toward that total. A landlord who hides fees outside the first page can push you past the line without warning.

Federal resources can help you find local support. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lists tenant rights and state resources for renters who need help. Local legal aid offices often handle lease questions at no cost.

What Should You Do Before You Apply?

Gather your paperwork first. Most landlords ask for proof of income, ID and rental references. A midlife renter with a stable work history or steady retirement income usually has the strongest file when it is organized.

Next, order your own credit report before you apply. Errors are common, and you want to find them before a landlord does. A clean report can also help you negotiate a lower deposit.

Finally, ask each landlord for a fee sheet. Request it before you submit an application, so the numbers sit in writing. Compare two or three buildings side by side, using the full monthly cost and not the advertised rent.

What If a Landlord Breaks the Rule?

Stay calm and keep records. Save the listing, the application, any receipts and every message about fees. Screenshots of an online ad count as evidence.

Start with a written request. Point to the fee and ask for a refund or removal. Many landlords correct the mistake once a tenant cites the rule.

If that fails, contact a free legal aid office or a tenant advice group. They can explain whether the building is exempt and what remedies exist. A counterpoint is worth stating plainly. A cap does not guarantee a lower total cost, because landlords may raise base rent to make up lost fee income.

Your Next Step

If you plan to renew or move in 2027, pull your current lease and find its fee list. Then compare it with the rules above. Do this before the new year, so you know what to ask for.

At Simply Forties, we suggest renters in other states look up their own state's fee rules. Our look at 2027 rent caps in Oregon and Washington shows how different the rules can be from one state to the next.

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