New protections are officially in effect for Illinois rental housing. As of January 1, 2026, the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act (765 ILCS 752) has placed new requirements on landlords to ensure that every tenant understands their safety-related legal protections.
If you are a renter or a property owner in Illinois, here is a breakdown of what you need to know about this law and the existing Safe Homes Act.
What is the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act?
This legislation is designed to ensure that victims of domestic or sexual violence are not left in the dark about their housing rights.
The Key Requirement: Landlords must provide a state-approved "Summary of Rights" document to all residential tenants. This document must be the very first page of any written lease, whether it is a brand-new agreement or a renewal.
The Signature Rule: It isn’t enough to just provide the paper. Landlords are required to obtain a signature from each tenant at the bottom of each page of the summary (4 pages total) to acknowledge receipt and understanding.
What Rights are Being Summarized?
The document informs tenants of two major lifelines provided by the Safe Homes Act:
Early Lease Termination: Victims and their families may be able to terminate their lease early without liability for the remaining rent, provided they follow specific notice and documentation procedures.
Emergency Lock Changes: If a tenant faces an imminent threat, they can request a lock change. The landlord must comply within 48 hours. If the landlord fails to do so, the tenant has the right to change the locks themselves without permission.
How to Exercise These Rights
To trigger these protections, a tenant must provide the landlord with written notice of the threat along with supporting evidence, such as:
Medical, court, or police records.
A statement from an employee of a domestic violence or victim services organization.
What Happens if a Landlord Doesn't Comply?
The law includes penalties for non-compliance. If a landlord fails to attach the summary to a lease, they could be held liable for:
The tenant's actual damages (not to exceed $2,000).
Or a statutory penalty of $100, whichever is greater.
Where Can I Read the Full Summary?
For landlords looking to download the required documents or tenants wanting to review their rights in detail, you can find all the official resources here:
👉 Illinois Department of Human Rights: Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act
Why This Matters
For many survivors, the fear of financial ruin or being "trapped" by a legal contract keeps them in dangerous situations. By mandating that these rights be front-and-center on every lease, Illinois is ensuring that safety information is accessible before a crisis even begins.
For Landlords: Ensure your leasing packets are updated with the official IDHR forms. For Tenants: When you sign or renew your lease, ensure this summary is included. It is your right to have this information provided to you clearly and upfront.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal concerns, please consult with an attorney or contact the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
