Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
New Lenox is a fast-growing suburban community in Will County, Illinois, located roughly 35 miles southwest of Chicago. As the village has expanded, its rental market has grown alongside it, attracting tenants who want access to the Chicago metro area while living in a smaller community. Renters in New Lenox are protected exclusively by Illinois state law — the village has enacted no local tenant protections beyond what the state requires.
The most common questions New Lenox renters have involve security deposit returns, lease termination notice, and what steps a landlord must follow before an eviction. Illinois law addresses each of these through statutes including the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720), and established common-law habitability standards. Unlike Chicago or Evanston, New Lenox does not have a local Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.
This article provides a plain-language summary of the protections available to New Lenox renters under Illinois law. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal dispute with your landlord, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services.
New Lenox has no rent control, and no Illinois municipality outside of a narrow historical exception may enact it. Illinois state law explicitly preempts all local rent control ordinances under 765 ILCS 720/1, which prohibits any unit of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This statute has been in effect since 1997.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in New Lenox is legally free to raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper written notice. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement to justify an increase, and no local board or agency to which you can appeal a rent hike. Your primary protection is your lease agreement — once a fixed-term lease is signed, the rent cannot be changed until the lease expires unless the lease itself allows for it.
Renters who are concerned about large rent increases should carefully review their lease terms before signing and negotiate fixed rents for longer terms where possible. If a landlord attempts to raise rent mid-lease without a contractual basis, that would constitute a breach of the lease agreement.
Illinois state law provides several core protections for renters throughout the state, including in New Lenox. Each protection is described below with the relevant statutory authority.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Illinois common law requires landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition — meaning the property must be safe, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, Illinois courts have recognized a tenant's right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or terminate the lease in appropriate circumstances. This doctrine was established in Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little, 50 Ill. 2d 351 (1972), and has been consistently upheld by Illinois courts.
Security Deposit Protections: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 105), landlords who own five or more units must return the security deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Landlords of covered properties must also pay annual interest on deposits held for more than six months. Wrongful withholding can expose landlords to liability for damages.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy: For month-to-month rental agreements, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either the landlord or tenant to terminate the tenancy. This is governed by 735 ILCS 5/9-207. For week-to-week tenancies, seven days notice is required. A landlord who fails to provide adequate written notice cannot proceed with an eviction based on holdover status.
Anti-Retaliation Protections: Under 765 ILCS 720/1, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations, contacting a government agency about housing conditions, or exercising any right protected by law. Retaliation can take the form of eviction, rent increases, reduction in services, or harassment. If a landlord takes adverse action within one year of a tenant's protected activity, retaliation may be presumed, and the tenant may have a legal claim for damages.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Illinois law prohibits landlords from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant to vacate. A landlord must obtain a court judgment and a court order of possession before a tenant can be removed. Self-help eviction exposes a landlord to civil liability under Illinois law.
New Lenox renters are protected by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 105), which apply to landlords who own five or more residential units.
Return Deadline: A landlord subject to these statutes must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions, the itemized statement must be provided within 30 days, with receipts or repair estimates provided within 30 days thereafter (or simultaneously if repairs are completed within the first 30 days).
Interest on Deposits: Under 765 ILCS 105/2, landlords holding security deposits for more than six months on properties with five or more units must pay annual interest on those deposits at the rate set by the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord who is covered by the statute willfully fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the entire security deposit, plus damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees, under 765 ILCS 710/1. Illinois courts have interpreted willful withholding broadly to include a landlord's failure to follow proper procedures.
No Statutory Cap: Illinois state law does not cap the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. The amount is subject to negotiation and lease terms.
Landlords with Fewer Than Five Units: If your landlord owns fewer than five residential units, the Security Deposit Return Act and Interest Act may not apply. However, you may still have common-law remedies if your deposit is wrongfully withheld. Consult Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online for guidance specific to your situation.
In New Lenox, a landlord must follow the Illinois court process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — including lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings — is illegal under Illinois law and can expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in the Will County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and scheduled for a hearing, typically within 14 to 21 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both the landlord and tenant have the right to present evidence and arguments. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue an Order of Possession specifying the date by which the tenant must vacate. If the tenant disputes the eviction, raising defenses such as retaliation or uninhabitable conditions, the hearing may be continued to a later date.
Step 4 — Enforcement: If the tenant remains after the Order of Possession date, the landlord may request a Writ of Assistance, which authorizes the Will County Sheriff to physically remove the tenant and their belongings from the premises. Only the Sheriff may carry out a lawful removal — a landlord cannot remove a tenant personally.
Just Cause: New Lenox has no just cause eviction requirement. A landlord may choose not to renew a lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason, including no reason at all, as long as proper notice is given. Evictions based on a tenant's race, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or other protected characteristic are prohibited under the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5) and federal fair housing law.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off heat, electricity, or water, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. Tenants who experience this may seek an emergency court order and damages.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The tenant rights information presented here reflects Illinois state law as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations can change. Every rental situation is unique, and the application of these laws to your specific circumstances may differ. Renters with legal questions or disputes should consult a qualified Illinois attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.