The Safer Homes summary and the page-one fee rule
Two Illinois laws now point at the front of the lease. Neither the legislature nor a state agency has said how they fit together, so here is exactly what each one says and how landlords are handling it.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 against Public Act 104-0479 and the sources below · How we check facts
| Summary of Rights for Safer Homes | Rental fee law (HB 3564) | |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Public Act 103-1031, 765 ILCS 752 | Public Act 104-0479, 765 ILCS 705/35 |
| Applies to | Written residential leases and renewals signed from January 1, 2026 | Residential leases entered into from January 1, 2027 |
| What the text says | The landlord attaches the summary, prepared by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, as the first page of the lease, and each tenant signs it | All non-optional fees must be explicitly contained on the first page of the lease agreement |
| If you get it wrong | Liable for the greater of $100 or actual damages up to $2,000 | The tenant is not liable for a required fee missing from page one, and can sue for damages and attorney's fees |
What is not settled
The Safer Homes summary is several pages long and must come first. The fee law asks for the fees on the first page of the lease agreement. Whether "first page of the lease agreement" means the first page after the attached summary, or the very first sheet of paper, has not been addressed by the legislature, a state agency or a court as of the review date above. At least one Illinois brokerage has said publicly that the exact layout of the first page is not yet clear.
Possible approaches
- Summary attached, then fees on the agreement's first page. The summary is attached in front as the Safer Homes law requires, and the lease agreement itself starts with the fee table on its own first page.
- Fees on the very first sheet as well. Another option is to also show the fee table on a cover sheet so it is the first thing the tenant sees, while still attaching the summary in front of the agreement.
- Same fees everywhere. Whatever the order, list the identical fees in the listing or its weblink, so the tenant saw them before signing.
We are not recommending one layout as legally correct. Choose the order with an Illinois attorney, and watch the updates page: we will add official guidance as soon as it exists.
Useful links
- Official summary form and translations: Illinois Department of Human Rights
- Free fee table for your lease: Word and PDF template
- Fee page with a listing link: create one free
Frequently asked questions
Does the Safer Homes summary have to be the first page of an Illinois lease?
Yes. For written residential leases and renewals signed from January 1, 2026, the landlord attaches the Illinois Department of Human Rights summary as the first page and each tenant signs it.
Where do fees go if the Safer Homes summary is first?
The fee law requires required fees on the first page of the lease agreement. There is no official guidance yet on how that interacts with the attached summary. One reading is to start the agreement itself with the fee table right after the summary. Confirm your layout with an Illinois attorney.
What is the penalty for not attaching the Safer Homes summary?
A landlord who fails to comply is liable for the greater of $100 or the tenant's actual damages up to $2,000.
Related
Not legal advice. Confirm your lease with an Illinois attorney.