An Illinois Rental Application simplifies the applicant screening process so you can attract the most qualified and trustworthy tenants for your lease agreement.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – No limits (no statute)
State Laws
Application Fees
Rental applications usually come with a small, nonrefundable fee, which covers basic administrative costs. These fees offset a landlord’s costs for running background checks and other expenses. There is no state-mandated limit on what you can charge, but individual cities can set their fees.
Security Deposits
Once a tenant’s application is approved, the typical amount collected as a security deposit equals one month’s rent. Illinois sets no legal limit on how much you can charge.
Landlords who hold a security deposit for at least six months and where there are at least 25 units in the building must place the amount in an FDIC-insured account and pay the tenant interest or credit the interest toward a tenant’s rent every 12 months (765 ILCS 715).
You must also return the security deposit within 45 days of the tenant moving out or provide a written explanation within 30 days as to why you kept all or part of the deposit (765 ILCS 710).
Consider issuing a rent receipt for any rent payments made by the tenant so that you and the tenant have a record in case a dispute arises.
Pet Deposits
Illinois allows property owners to collect a separate pet deposit, except for service and assistance animals. Landlords cannot deny an applicant with a disability the right to own an assistance pet. Housing providers can also not deny an application solely because of the animal’s breed.
Other Resources:
How To Conduct an Eviction Record Search
Create an account with Illinois’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records and proceed to:
- Enter an applicant’s information.
- Pay a small fee to search for evidence of legal actions against prospective tenants.
Should you decide not to offer an applicant a lease agreement due to a history of eviction or another valid reason, consider sending them a rejection letter explaining why.
Sample
