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Homewood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, located in the south suburbs of Chicago. Like many Cook County communities outside the city limits, Homewood renters rely primarily on Illinois statewide law for their tenant protections, as the village has not enacted its own residential landlord-tenant ordinance.
The most common questions Homewood renters ask involve security deposit returns, repair obligations, eviction notice requirements, and what landlords can and cannot legally do when a tenancy ends. Illinois provides meaningful baseline protections in each of these areas, and knowing the relevant statutes can help renters assert their rights effectively.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Homewood has no rent control ordinance, and under Illinois state law, it is legally prohibited from enacting one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720) bars all municipalities — including villages like Homewood and even larger cities outside of grandfathered circumstances — from passing any ordinance that controls or stabilizes residential rents.
In practice, this means a landlord in Homewood can raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper advance notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification for an increase, and no local board or agency to appeal to. Renters whose leases are expiring should review their lease terms carefully and negotiate in writing if they wish to contest a proposed increase.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & 765 ILCS 735): Illinois landlords are required under the implied warranty of habitability to maintain rental units in a livable condition. This means functioning heat, plumbing, weather-tight walls and roof, and freedom from conditions that endanger health or safety. If a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct under certain circumstances — consult legal aid before taking either step.
Security Deposit Return (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who hold a deposit on residential property to return it within 30 days after the tenant vacates, accompanied by an itemized statement of any deductions. If a landlord fails to comply, the tenant may be entitled to the full deposit plus damages. Separate rules under 765 ILCS 711 require landlords who hold deposits for properties with 25 or more units to pay interest on those deposits.
Notice Requirements (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies in Illinois, either party must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require 7 days notice. These are minimum statutory requirements and a lease may specify longer periods.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for complaining to a government agency about code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any legal right. Retaliatory acts can include rent increases, eviction filings, or reducing services. A tenant facing suspected retaliation within the statutory timeframe may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord cannot change locks, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Any landlord who does so may face civil liability. The only legal way to remove a tenant is through the court eviction process.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. Homewood has no local ordinance setting a cap either, so a landlord may charge any amount agreed to in the lease.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), after the tenant vacates, the landlord must return the deposit — less any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear — within 30 days. The landlord must also provide an itemized written statement of any deductions. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required statement within 30 days, the tenant may sue for the full amount of the deposit plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
For buildings with 25 or more units, the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711) additionally requires landlords to pay interest on deposits held for more than six months, at a rate determined annually by the state. Failure to pay interest can result in the tenant's right to deduct that interest from rent or recover it in a civil action.
Tenants should document the condition of their unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written checklists, and should keep all written communications with their landlord regarding the deposit.
Evictions in Homewood follow the Illinois Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through this formal court process — self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The most common types are: a 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit for non-payment of rent (735 ILCS 5/9-209); a 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit for lease violations other than non-payment; and a 30-Day Notice to Terminate for month-to-month tenancies with no stated cause (735 ILCS 5/9-207).
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Cook County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and scheduled for a hearing, typically within a few weeks.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may present their case. Tenants can raise defenses such as improper notice, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions. If the court rules for the landlord, it will issue an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: A Cook County Sheriff's officer enforces the order of possession. The landlord must wait for the sheriff — any self-help removal of the tenant before the sheriff acts is unlawful.
Homewood has no just cause eviction ordinance, meaning a landlord may choose not to renew a lease for any lawful reason, or no reason at all, provided proper advance notice is given.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Renters in Homewood, Illinois with legal questions or disputes should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is current, complete, or applicable to your individual circumstances.
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