Is this rental fee allowed in Illinois?
For leases signed on or after January 1, 2027, some fees are banned outright, one is capped, and the rest are allowed only if they are disclosed on page one of the lease and in the listing.
Have a long list? Audit all your fees at once.
Fees banned or limited by the law
Disclosing these does not make them legal. Section 35 also bars renaming a fee to get around the ban, so a "renewal processing charge" is still a renewal fee.
| Fee | Status | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Application / screening fee | Limited | Capped at $50 including background checks. More is allowed only for a third-party background check that costs more than $50, paid by you upfront and billed to the applicant within 14 days with the receipts. |
| Lease renewal or modification fee | Banned | Banned. No fee or fine for renewing or modifying a lease, including adding or removing a roommate. |
| After-hours maintenance request fee | Banned | Banned. No fee or fine for an after-hours maintenance request. |
| Maintenance hotline or service-call fee | Banned | Banned. No fee for a maintenance hotline or for calling one. |
| Fee for contacting the owner or manager | Banned | Banned. No fee for contacting the owner or manager about maintenance, service requests, lease questions or other tenancy matters. |
| Maintenance travel / trip charge | Banned | Banned. No fee for travel needed to complete maintenance or safety repairs. |
| Routine maintenance or upkeep fee | Banned | Banned. No fee for routine maintenance and upkeep of the unit. |
| Pest control / abatement fee | Limited | Banned when the tenant did not contribute to the infestation, so a blanket monthly pest fee is not allowed. |
| Move-in or move-out walkthrough fee | Banned | Banned. No fee for an in-person walkthrough at move-in or move-out. |
| Eviction notice or filing fee | Banned | Banned before a court grants an eviction order. Court costs and filing fees can still be recovered through the court. |
| Lockout fee (flat) | Banned | Likely banned: it is a fee for contacting the manager for a tenancy service, and after hours it is also an after-hours request fee. |
Fees still allowed if disclosed
These are not banned by the state law, but each required one must appear on page one of the lease and in the listing or its weblink. Local ordinances can add limits.
| Fee | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit (refundable) | Allowed if disclosed | Not capped by the state law, but it must be on page one. Cook County (RTLO) caps deposits at 1.5 months of rent, and Chicago (RLTO) has its own deposit handling rules. |
| Move-in fee (non-refundable) | Allowed if disclosed | The final law does not cap or ban move-in fees. It must be disclosed on page one of the lease and in the listing. |
| Lease administration fee | Allowed with care | Not banned by name. It must not duplicate screening costs or work as a second application fee, and it must be on page one. |
| Pet fee (non-refundable) | Allowed if disclosed | No state cap. Disclose it on page one. No pet fees for service or assistance animals. |
| Pet rent | Allowed if disclosed | No state cap. Disclose it on page one. No pet rent for service or assistance animals. |
| Pet deposit (refundable) | Allowed if disclosed | Treated as part of the security deposit under local ordinances such as Chicago RLTO and Cook County RTLO. |
| Parking | Allowed if disclosed | If parking is required, it is a non-optional fee and goes on page one. If tenants can decline it, list it as optional. |
| Storage | Allowed if disclosed | List it as optional if the tenant can decline it. |
| Amenity fee | Allowed if disclosed | Allowed if disclosed. If every tenant must pay it, it belongs on page one. |
| Technology / internet package | Allowed if disclosed | Allowed if disclosed. A mandatory bulk internet or tech package is a non-optional fee. |
| Trash / valet trash | Allowed if disclosed | Allowed if disclosed. |
| Utility bill-back (water, sewer, trash) | Allowed if disclosed | Disclose the charge and which utilities are included in rent. Give an estimate if the amount varies. |
| Resident benefit package | Allowed with care | Not banned by name, but no part of the bundle may work as a banned fee, such as a maintenance hotline or after-hours charge. |
| Late fee | Allowed with care | Disclose it. Local limits apply: the Chicago RLTO caps late fees at $10 for the first $500 of monthly rent plus 5% of rent above $500. |
| Returned payment (NSF) fee | Allowed if disclosed | Disclose it on page one. |
| Key or fob replacement (actual cost) | Allowed with care | Billing back the actual cost of a replacement is safer than a flat fee. A flat lockout fee is likely banned. |
Make your disclosure in about two minutes. Once your fees pass the check, publish them on one page with a link for listings and a print-ready table for page one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still charge a move-in fee in Illinois?
Yes. The final version of HB 3564 does not cap or ban move-in fees. Earlier drafts did, but that language was removed. The fee must be on page one of the lease and in the listing.
Is a pest control fee allowed?
Not as a blanket charge. The law bans fees for pest abatement or removal when the tenant did not contribute to the infestation.
Can I charge a fee to add a roommate?
No. Fees or fines for modifying or renewing a lease are banned, and adding or removing a person on the lease is a modification.
Are late fees banned?
No, the state law does not ban late fees, but they must be disclosed. In Chicago, the RLTO caps late fees at $10 for the first $500 of monthly rent plus 5% of any rent above $500.
Related
Not legal advice. Confirm your lease with an Illinois attorney.