Illinois Pet Rent Laws in 2025: A Guide for Landlords

Illinois, home to a mix of urban, suburban, and rural rental markets, has a high demand for pet-friendly housing. As more tenants seek accommodations that allow pets, landlords must establish clear pet policies to protect their properties while remaining competitive in the rental market.

Unlike some states, Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on pet rent or pet deposits, allowing landlords to set their own terms regarding pet-related charges. However, federal laws protect service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs), meaning landlords must accommodate these animals even in pet-restricted properties.

To avoid disputes and ensure compliance with Illinois rental laws, both landlords and tenants must understand their rights and responsibilities regarding pet deposits, pet rent, and lease agreements. This guide provides an overview of Illinois pet rental regulations, including legal frameworks, financial considerations, and best practices for landlords.

Legal Framework Governing Pets in Illinois Rentals

Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview

Illinois does not have specific statewide laws that regulate pet policies in rental properties. Instead, landlords have broad discretion in deciding whether to allow pets and under what conditions. However, local ordinances, such as those in Chicago, may impose additional regulations regarding pet ownership in rentals.

Landlords who choose to allow pets can include pet-related clauses in lease agreements that outline rules, deposits, and potential fees. These lease terms must be clearly defined in writing to be legally enforceable. However, landlords cannot prohibit service animals or ESAs, as these are protected under federal law.

Pet Policies in Lease Agreements

Because Illinois law does not set specific pet-related rules, landlords must ensure that lease agreements contain well-defined pet policies. A strong lease agreement should address:

Pet Restrictions: Landlords may restrict specific breeds, sizes, or the number of pets per unit. These restrictions must be clearly outlined in the lease agreement.
Financial Terms: If charging pet rent, pet deposits, or non-refundable pet fees, landlords must specify these costs upfront.
Behavioral Expectations: Lease agreements should include rules on noise control, leash requirements, and waste disposal.
Damage Responsibility: Tenants should be held accountable for any damage caused by their pets, separate from normal wear and tear.
Consequences for Violations: If tenants fail to follow pet policies, lease agreements should outline potential penalties, such as fines, required pet removal, or lease termination.

By clearly outlining pet policies in the lease agreement, landlords can avoid conflicts and enforce rules fairly.

Landlords can evict tenants for pet-related violations, but they must follow Illinois’s legal eviction process to do so lawfully. One common reason for eviction is unauthorized pets, where a tenant brings a pet into a no-pet property without prior approval, violating the lease agreement.

Another valid reason is property damage, particularly if a pet causes excessive harm to the rental unit, such as scratched floors, broken doors, or stained carpets beyond normal wear and tear.

Additionally, pet-related disturbances can lead to eviction if the animal creates ongoing noise issues, exhibits aggressive behavior, or disrupts other tenants’ peaceful enjoyment of the property. In all cases, landlords must provide proper notice and an opportunity for the tenant to address the violation before proceeding with eviction.

To evict a tenant for violating pet policies, landlords must:

Issue a Written Lease Violation Notice: Illinois law requires landlords to provide written notice of the lease violation, giving tenants a chance to correct the issue.
Provide Time to Resolve the Violation: Tenants must be given time to remove unauthorized pets or repair damages.
File for Eviction if Necessary: If the tenant fails to comply, the landlord can file an eviction case in court.

Illinois prohibits illegal evictions, meaning landlords cannot lock tenants out, remove their belongings, or shut off utilities in response to a pet violation. All evictions must go through the court system.

Security Deposits, Pet Fees, and Pet Rent

State Regulations on Security Deposits

Illinois does not have a statewide cap on security deposits, meaning landlords can set their own deposit amounts. However, landlords must follow specific rules regarding deposit handling and returns, particularly in Chicago and Cook County, where additional tenant protections apply.

Security Deposit Limits: While Illinois law does not impose a cap, excessive security deposits may be considered unreasonable or unfair under local ordinances.
Pet Deposits: Landlords can charge a separate pet deposit, which is typically refundable if no pet-related damages occur.
Deposit Handling Requirements: In buildings with five or more units, landlords must hold security deposits in an interest-bearing account and provide receipts to tenants.

After a tenant moves out, landlords must return security deposits within 30 days. If deductions are made for damages, landlords must provide an itemized statement within 30 days and refund the remaining balance within 15 days.

Pet Rent and Non-Refundable Pet Fees

Illinois landlords can charge pet rent and non-refundable pet fees, as long as these fees are clearly stated in the lease agreement.

Pet Rent: A recurring monthly charge added to rent to account for pets in the unit.
Non-Refundable Pet Fees: A one-time charge intended to cover cleaning or administrative costs related to pet occupancy.
Pet Deposits: A refundable security deposit that covers pet-related damages.

How Pet Fees and Deposits Are Used

Landlords can only use pet deposits to cover actual damages caused by the pet. Examples of appropriate deductions include repairing scratched floors or doors, removing deep stains or odors from carpets, fixing chewed baseboards, walls, or fixtures.

Pet deposits cannot be used for:

General wear and tear (minor scuffs or natural aging of flooring).
Routine cleaning that is part of normal turnover.
Damage caused by something other than the pet.

Since Illinois requires landlords to provide itemized lists of deductions, it’s important for landlords to document all pet-related damage with photos and repair invoices to avoid disputes.

Service Animals vs. Pets

Legal Distinctions

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Illinois state laws, there is a clear distinction between service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and pets. Service animals are defined by the ADA as dogs trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, such as guiding individuals with visual impairments or alerting those with hearing impairments. Emotional support animals, on the other hand, provide comfort and support to individuals with mental or emotional conditions but do not require specialized training. Both service animals and ESAs are not considered pets under the law, granting them certain protections in housing situations.

Implications for Landlords

Landlords in Illinois are required to provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with service animals or ESAs, even if the property has a no-pet policy. They cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or additional fees for these animals. However, landlords can request documentation from a licensed healthcare professional to verify the tenant's need for an ESA. For service animals, landlords may ask:

Is the animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Landlords cannot inquire about the tenant's specific disability or require training certifications for the animal. They can, however, hold tenants responsible for any damages caused by the service animal or ESA beyond normal wear and tear.

Prohibited Charges

It's important to note that while landlords can charge pet-related fees for traditional pets, they cannot impose such charges on tenants with service animals or ESAs. This prohibition includes pet deposits, pet rent, and non-refundable pet fees. Charging these fees for assistance animals is considered discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Best Practices for Landlords

Crafting a Comprehensive Pet Policy

To effectively manage pet-related matters, landlords should develop a clear and comprehensive pet policy within the lease agreement. This policy should address:

Pet Approval Process: Specify whether pets are allowed and outline the requirements for approval, such as pet applications detailing breed, size, age, and history, proof of vaccinations, and references from previous landlords.
Permitted Pets & Restrictions: Define any breed, size, or species limitations and state the maximum number of pets allowed per unit.
Financial Terms: Disclose all pet-related costs, including pet rent (monthly charge), pet deposit (refundable security), and non-refundable pet fees (for cleaning/maintenance).
Tenant Responsibilities: Set clear expectations for pet owners, including proper waste disposal, preventing noise disturbances, and ensuring pets do not cause property damage.
Consequences for Violations: Define the penalties for violating pet policies, such as fines for unauthorized pets, requirements to remove disruptive or dangerous pets, and potential eviction for repeated violations.

By clearly outlining these terms, landlords can protect their property while ensuring tenants understand their responsibilities.

Setting Fair and Legal Pet Fees

While Illinois does not impose specific limits on pet fees, it's advisable for landlords to set reasonable and justifiable charges. This includes determining appropriate amounts for pet deposits, pet rent, and non-refundable pet fees. Transparent communication of these fees in the lease agreement helps prevent disputes and ensures compliance with legal standards.

Regular Property Inspections

Conducting routine property inspections allows landlords to monitor pet-related wear and tear and address issues promptly. In Illinois, landlords must provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering a rental unit for inspection. Regular inspections help maintain the property's condition and ensure tenants adhere to pet policies.

By implementing these best practices, landlords can create a pet-friendly environment that balances the interests of both property owners and tenants, fostering positive rental experiences.

Key Takeaways for Landlords

Navigating Illinois’s pet rental laws requires landlords to establish clear pet policies while complying with state and federal regulations. Illinois does not have a statewide cap on pet deposits or pet rent, giving landlords flexibility in setting terms, but federal laws protect service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) from additional pet-related charges.

Final Thoughts on Pet Policies in Illinois Rentals

Landlords have full discretion over pet policies and may restrict certain breeds, sizes, or the number of pets allowed or enforce a no-pet policy—as long as these rules are clearly stated in the lease agreement.
Illinois does not impose a limit on security deposits, meaning landlords can require pet deposits at their discretion, but all deposits must be handled according to Illinois’s security deposit laws (including proper returns and itemized deductions).
Pet rent is legal in Illinois, and landlords may charge a monthly pet fee. However, pet rent amounts must be clearly disclosed in the lease agreement and should be reasonable based on market conditions.
Service animals and ESAs are not considered pets, meaning landlords cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or additional fees for them. However, tenants are responsible for any damages caused by their assistance animal beyond normal wear and tear.
Evictions related to pets must follow Illinois’s legal process, ensuring that any lease violations—such as unauthorized pets, excessive property damage, or disturbances—are handled in compliance with state law.
Routine property inspections help landlords monitor pet-related wear and tear, but tenants must be given at least 24 hours’ notice before an inspection, as required by Illinois law.
A well-structured lease agreement protects both landlords and tenants, ensuring that pet-related expectations, deposits, and responsibilities are clearly defined and enforceable.
Pet screening is highly recommended to ensure only responsible pet owners and well-behaved pets are allowed in rental properties.

By implementing clear and enforceable pet policies, landlords can protect their investment while accommodating responsible pet owners. A legally compliant and well-documented approach helps prevent disputes, ensures fairness, and allows landlords to confidently manage their rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Rent Laws in Illinois

Is pet rent legal in Illinois?

Yes, in Illinois, landlords are permitted to charge pet rent. This is a recurring monthly fee added to the standard rent to account for potential wear and tear or nuisances caused by pets. Illinois law does not impose specific limits on the amounts or types of pet fees that landlords can charge.

What happens if your landlord finds out you have a pet?

If a landlord discovers that a tenant has an unauthorized pet, the consequences depend on the terms outlined in the lease agreement. Potential actions may include:

Notice to Cure: The landlord may issue a notice requiring the tenant to remove the pet within a specified timeframe to comply with the lease terms.
Fines or Penalties: The lease may stipulate financial penalties for unauthorized pets.
Eviction: Persistent non-compliance can lead to eviction proceedings.

It's crucial for tenants to review their lease agreements and communicate with landlords regarding pet policies to avoid such issues.

3. What are the dog laws in Illinois?

Illinois has specific laws governing dog ownership to ensure public safety and animal welfare:

Licensing and Vaccination: All dogs over four months old must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
Leash Laws: Dogs must be leashed or confined when off the owner's property to prevent roaming.
Dangerous Dogs: Owners of dogs deemed dangerous or vicious may face additional restrictions, including confinement requirements and liability for damages caused by their pets.

Local ordinances may impose further regulations, so it's advisable to consult municipal codes for specific rules in your area.

What is a reasonable amount for pet rent?

Determining a reasonable amount for pet rent depends on various factors, including the property's location, the type and size of the pet, and prevailing market rates. While Illinois law does not set a cap on pet rent, landlords typically charge between $10 to $50 per month per pet. It's essential for landlords to set pet rent at a level that is justifiable and consistent with local market practices to maintain competitiveness and fairness.

Can a landlord charge a pet deposit for an emotional support animal in Illinois?

No, landlords in Illinois cannot charge a pet deposit, pet rent, or additional fees for an emotional support animal (ESA). Under the Fair Housing Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act, ESAs are not considered pets, and landlords must provide reasonable accommodations without imposing extra charges. However, tenants are responsible for any damages caused by their ESAs beyond normal wear and tear.