Last updated: April 2026
Berwyn renters are protected by Illinois state landlord-tenant law, which governs security deposits, habitability, and eviction. Rent control is prohibited statewide, and Berwyn has no local tenant ordinance.
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Berwyn is a city in Cook County located immediately west of Chicago's city limits, adjacent to Cicero and Oak Park. Despite its proximity to Chicago, Berwyn renters are not covered by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Berwyn has not enacted its own local landlord-tenant ordinance. Renters in Berwyn are governed solely by Illinois state landlord-tenant law.
Illinois state law provides baseline protections on security deposits, habitability, anti-retaliation, and eviction procedures — but it does not require just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, and rent control is prohibited statewide under 765 ILCS 720. Berwyn renters should understand these rules and their limits before signing a lease or engaging in a landlord dispute.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Renters with housing concerns should contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Berwyn has no rent control, and Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits every municipality from enacting any rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The Berwyn City Council has no authority to cap rent increases — and despite Berwyn's location next to Chicago and Oak Park, neither the Chicago RLTO nor the Oak Park RLTO applies to Berwyn rental properties.
A Berwyn landlord may raise rent by any amount. The only requirement is proper written notice — at least 30 days' written notice is required before a month-to-month tenancy can be terminated or a rent increase imposed on a month-to-month tenant. Fixed-term lease tenants cannot have their rent raised mid-lease unless the lease expressly permits it. Tenants who receive an unacceptable rent increase have no mechanism under Illinois law to challenge the dollar amount.
Illinois state law provides Berwyn renters with the following core protections:
Security deposit rules in Berwyn are governed by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710). Your landlord must return your full security deposit — or provide a written itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days after you vacate the unit.
Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear. Routine wear and tear (minor scuffs, small nail holes, general carpet wear) cannot legally be deducted from your deposit. Document the condition of your unit with dated photographs and video at move-in and move-out to protect yourself from improper deductions.
If you live in a building with 25 or more units, your landlord must hold your deposit in a federally insured interest-bearing account and pay you interest on the deposit annually. Provide your forwarding address to your landlord in writing when you move out to start the 30-day return period.
Berwyn landlords must follow Illinois's formal eviction process through Cook County Circuit Court. Self-help eviction is prohibited under Illinois law. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate before filing an eviction action. For lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure or vacate is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, at least 30 days' written notice must be given.
If the tenant does not comply, the landlord may file an eviction action in Cook County Circuit Court. Tenants have the right to appear and raise defenses including habitability violations, improper notice, and retaliation. A court judgment is required before any order of possession can be issued.
Only the Cook County Sheriff can physically remove a tenant from a rental unit. A landlord who changes locks, shuts off utilities, or removes belongings without a court order commits illegal self-help eviction and may face civil liability.
No. Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits all municipalities from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. This includes Berwyn, despite its proximity to Chicago and Oak Park. Berwyn landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice.
There is no legal cap on rent increases in Berwyn. Illinois's statewide prohibition bars any local rent stabilization. For month-to-month tenants, at least 30 days' written notice is required before a rent increase takes effect. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from mid-lease increases unless the lease expressly allows them.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement of deductions. If the building has 25 or more units, annual interest must also be paid. Provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out to start the 30-day clock.
For nonpayment of rent: a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate. For lease violations: a 10-day notice to cure or vacate. To end a month-to-month tenancy: at least 30 days' written notice. After proper notice, the landlord must file in Cook County Circuit Court.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois. A landlord who changes your locks, removes your belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order may face civil liability. Document the incident and contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online immediately.
Illinois recognizes an implied warranty of habitability. Send a written repair request and keep a copy. If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable time, you may have remedies including withholding rent or terminating the lease. You can also contact Berwyn's code enforcement office to report violations. Consult Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online before taking any unilateral action.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Berwyn, Illinois and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation.
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