Chicago Housing Rules Face Suburban Exodus Warning
What Changed in Chicago Housing Rules Beginning in 2026, Chicago’s rental rule changes focus on stricter lease disclosures, tighter fee limits, updated deposit and move-in fee standards, and broader tenant protections that align with new statewide requirements. New tenant disclosures now require the Illinois Summary of Rights for Safer Homes to appear first in every new or renewed written residential lease. Chicago landlords must also include it in renewal paperwork, reinforcing a formal tenant-rights notice. Similar housing policy changes in other markets have included rent caps to improve predictability for tenants. Fee limits have tightened as well. Non-optional charges must be clearly shown on the first page of a lease or listing. Most application or background-check fees are capped at $50 unless documented screening costs are higher. Undisclosed fees cannot later be imposed. Chicago also revised deposit and move-in fee rules. The city is also expanding eviction protections, inclu...