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Manhattan is a village in Will County, Illinois, located in the Chicago metropolitan area's southwestern suburbs. Though smaller in population than nearby Joliet or Aurora, Manhattan has seen steady residential growth and has a meaningful share of renters who rely on state law for their housing protections. Illinois law — not any local ordinance — governs the landlord-tenant relationship for Manhattan renters.
Renters in Manhattan most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, habitability obligations, the eviction process, and whether their landlord can raise rent without limit. The short answers: there is no rent control in Illinois, deposits must be returned within 30 days, landlords must maintain habitable conditions, and eviction requires a court order — never a lockout or utility shutoff. The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply in Manhattan, so Illinois state statutes are the governing framework.
This article is intended as a general educational resource for renters in Manhattan, Illinois. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific situation may have nuances that require guidance from a licensed attorney or legal aid organization.
Manhattan has no rent control, and Illinois state law makes it impossible for any Illinois municipality — including Manhattan — to enact one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, codified at 765 ILCS 720, expressly prohibits any unit of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that would control or stabilize rents. This preemption has been in effect since 1997 and applies statewide, meaning neither the Village of Manhattan nor Will County can pass rent control legislation.
In practice, this means your landlord in Manhattan can raise your rent by any amount when your lease expires. There is no cap, no required justification, and no city agency to which you can appeal a rent increase. The only limitations are practical and contractual: your landlord cannot raise your rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease explicitly allows it, and must provide proper written notice before increasing rent on a month-to-month tenancy. If you receive a rent increase you cannot afford, your options are to negotiate with your landlord, refuse and risk non-renewal, or seek assistance from a legal aid organization.
While Manhattan has no local tenant ordinances, Illinois state law provides several important protections for renters:
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): Landlords in Illinois who hold a security deposit must return it — along with any required interest — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord intends to withhold any portion, they must provide a written, itemized statement of damages within that same 30-day window. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for the full deposit amount plus damages under the Security Deposit Return Act.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (Illinois common law): Illinois courts have recognized an implied warranty of habitability in all residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from serious pest infestations. Tenants whose landlords fail to make necessary repairs may have remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination — though tenants should consult a legal aid attorney before taking any of these steps.
Notice Requirements (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days written notice is required. These notice periods cannot be waived by lease language that would reduce the tenant's rights below this statutory floor.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to code enforcement, report housing violations, or exercise any legal right. Retaliatory acts can include eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. A tenant who can demonstrate retaliation may have a defense in an eviction proceeding.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law requires landlords to obtain a court judgment and writ of possession before removing a tenant. Locking a tenant out, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant to leave is illegal self-help eviction and can expose the landlord to legal liability.
Illinois does not set a statutory cap on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit in Manhattan or elsewhere in the state outside of Chicago. However, once a deposit is collected, the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) governs its return.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit — or the portion not withheld for legitimate damages — within 30 days after you vacate the unit and surrender possession. If the landlord intends to keep any part of the deposit, they must provide you with an itemized, written statement of claimed damages and the cost of repair within that same 30-day period (765 ILCS 710/1).
Interest on Deposits: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710), landlords who own buildings with 25 or more units and hold a deposit for more than six months must pay interest on that deposit at a rate set annually by the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate. Smaller landlords in Manhattan renting single-family homes or small multi-unit buildings may not be subject to this interest requirement, but they must still return the deposit within 30 days.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord fails to return your deposit or provide a proper itemized statement within 30 days, you may be entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages in court. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-out with photos and written correspondence to preserve their claims. Contact Illinois Legal Aid Online or Prairie State Legal Services for guidance on filing a small claims action to recover a withheld deposit.
In Manhattan, Illinois, a landlord must follow a strictly defined legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help measures — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.) and can expose the landlord to legal liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with proper written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Complaint: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Complaint for Forcible Entry and Detainer in the Will County Circuit Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few weeks of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including improper notice, payment of rent, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not vacate after the judgment, the landlord may request a Writ of Possession from the court. Only a Will County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove the tenant — the landlord cannot do so unilaterally.
No Just Cause Requirement: Unlike Chicago (which has specific RLTO protections), Manhattan has no just cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may decline to renew a lease without stating a reason, as long as proper notice is given. Illinois does not require landlords to justify non-renewals outside of anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation law.
The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Illinois can change, and the specific facts of your situation may significantly affect your legal rights and options. Renters in Manhattan, Illinois are encouraged to consult a licensed attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization — such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online — before taking action based on this content. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of this information and assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon it.
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