Rental junk fee laws: how Illinois compares
Several states and cities now regulate the fees renters pay on top of rent. They take different approaches: all-in advertised prices, fee bans, broker fee shifts and screening fee limits. Illinois combines disclosure with a list of banned fees.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 against Public Act 104-0479 and the sources below · How we check facts
| Place | Law | In force | Main approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | HB 3564 (Public Act 104-0479) | Leases from January 1, 2027 | Required fees on page one of the lease and in listings (or a weblink); $50 application fee cap; list of banned fees; tenant lawsuits with attorney's fees. |
| Colorado | HB25-1090 | January 1, 2026 | Advertised rent must be an all-in price that includes mandatory fees; also restricts some charges to tenants. Enforced as a deceptive trade practice. |
| New York City | FARE Act | June 11, 2025 | A broker hired by the landlord cannot have the fee passed to the tenant. Tenants who hire their own broker still pay that broker. |
| Massachusetts | Broker fee law (state budget) | August 1, 2025 | Broker fees are paid by whoever hired the broker, so a landlord's broker fee cannot be charged to the tenant. |
| California | AB 2493 | January 1, 2025 | Screening fees limited to actual cost under a capped amount; landlords must screen first-come or refund applicants who are not selected. |
| Washington | RCW 59.18.257 | In force | Tenant screening charges limited to actual costs, with disclosure requirements. |
| Federal (FTC) | Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees | May 12, 2025 | Covers live-event tickets and short-term lodging only, not long-term residential leases. |
What makes Illinois different
- The page-one rule. Few laws tie liability to where a fee appears. In Illinois, a required fee missing from the first page of the lease is one the tenant does not owe.
- Disclosure plus bans. Colorado focuses on the advertised price. Illinois requires disclosure and also bans specific fees outright, such as renewal, after-hours and walkthrough fees.
- The weblink option. Illinois lets a listing disclose fees through an accompanying weblink, which is what a fee disclosure page provides.
Laws change and local rules add more. This table is a starting point, last reviewed November 2026. Check the current official text for any state before relying on it.
Make your disclosure in about two minutes. Put every required fee on one page with a link you can paste into any listing, plus a print-ready block for page one of your lease.
Frequently asked questions
Which states have rental junk fee laws?
Examples include Illinois (HB 3564, leases from 2027) and Colorado (HB25-1090, 2026). New York City and Massachusetts shifted broker fees away from tenants in 2025, and California and Washington limit screening fees.
Does the FTC junk fee rule cover apartment rentals?
No. The FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, in effect since May 12, 2025, covers live-event tickets and short-term lodging, not long-term residential leases.
Is Illinois stricter than Colorado?
They differ. Colorado requires an all-in advertised price. Illinois requires page-one and listing disclosure and bans a list of fees outright.
Related
Not legal advice. Confirm your lease with an Illinois attorney.