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North Aurora is a village in Kane County, Illinois, situated along the Fox River just north of Aurora. The village has grown steadily as part of the broader Chicago metropolitan area, and a significant share of its residents rent their homes. Like all Illinois renters outside of Chicago, North Aurora tenants rely primarily on state law for their legal protections.
The most common questions North Aurora renters ask involve security deposit return timelines, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what steps a landlord must follow to legally pursue eviction. Illinois state statutes — particularly the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720) — govern these issues for tenants in North Aurora. The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply in North Aurora.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant laws can change, and individual situations vary. If you have a specific legal concern, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization.
North Aurora has no rent control, and landlords may raise rents by any amount, at any time, provided they give proper advance notice before the rent increase takes effect. This is not simply a local policy choice — Illinois state law explicitly prohibits municipalities from enacting rent control ordinances.
Under 765 ILCS 720/1, the Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, no unit of local government in Illinois may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would regulate the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This preemption applies uniformly statewide, meaning North Aurora, Kane County, and every other Illinois municipality outside of no special carve-out is barred from passing rent stabilization measures.
In practice, this means a landlord in North Aurora can increase rent upon lease renewal to any amount the market will bear. For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must provide at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from mid-lease increases by the terms of their lease, but upon renewal the landlord has no statutory cap on the new amount.
While North Aurora has no local tenant protections beyond state law, Illinois provides several important baseline rights to all renters in the state.
Habitability: Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases, rooted in common law. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct in appropriate circumstances, though tenants should seek legal guidance before taking such steps.
Security Deposit Protections: The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.) govern deposit handling. Landlords with 25 or more units must pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months. All landlords must return deposits within 30 days of the tenant vacating, with an itemized written statement of any deductions (765 ILCS 710/1).
Anti-Retaliation: Under 765 ILCS 720/1, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting code violations, contacting a government agency about habitability issues, or otherwise exercising legal rights. Retaliatory acts include rent increases, eviction threats, or reduction of services following protected activity.
Notice to Terminate: To end a month-to-month tenancy, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either the landlord or the tenant prior to the end of the rental period (735 ILCS 5/9-207). Fixed-term leases expire on their own terms unless renewed.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Illinois law prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant out. The landlord must go through the court eviction process to legally remove a tenant.
North Aurora landlords are subject to the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), which sets out clear rules for how security deposits must be handled.
No Statutory Cap: Illinois state law does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. The amount is determined by the parties in the lease agreement.
Return Deadline: A landlord must return the security deposit — or the portion not lawfully withheld — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the rental unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord must provide the tenant with an itemized written statement of those deductions along with the remaining deposit amount within that 30-day window (765 ILCS 710/1).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld. Courts may award damages, and in some circumstances attorneys' fees, though the specific remedies available depend on the facts of the case and applicable case law under 765 ILCS 710.
Interest on Deposits (Large Landlords): Under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), landlords who own 25 or more residential units and hold a security 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.
Tip: Document the condition of the unit thoroughly at move-in and move-out, and provide the landlord with a forwarding address in writing to ensure the deposit is returned to the correct location.
To legally evict a tenant in North Aurora, a landlord must follow Illinois statutory eviction procedures. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal in Illinois and can expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve the tenant with written notice before filing for eviction in court. The type and length 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 Kane County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given the opportunity to appear and respond.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions, improper notice, or retaliation. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a court-authorized officer (such as a sheriff or deputy) may enforce the eviction order and physically remove the tenant. A landlord has no right to remove the tenant personally or without a court order.
No Just Cause Requirement: North Aurora does not require a landlord to have just cause to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. However, evictions taken in retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights are prohibited under 765 ILCS 720/1.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in North Aurora, Kane County, and Illinois may change, and the application of these laws depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you have a legal dispute with your landlord or need advice about your specific circumstances, please consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently before taking action.
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