Can an Illinois landlord charge maintenance, repair-call or pest control fees?
Quick answer
Not for leases entered into from January 1, 2027. Illinois bans fees or fines for after-hours maintenance requests, contacting the owner or manager, repair travel, maintenance hotlines, routine maintenance and upkeep, and pest removal when the tenant did not contribute to the infestation (765 ILCS 705/35(c)(5)-(10)). Renaming the fee does not avoid the ban.
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | January 1, 2027: Public Act 104-0514 changed the Act's effective date from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 | Official source |
| After-hours | No fee or fine for after-hours requests for maintenance service (35(c)(5)) | Official source |
| Contacting you | No fee or fine for contacting the owner or property manager for maintenance or service requests, lease questions or other tenancy items (35(c)(6)) | Official source |
| Travel | No fee or fine for travel required to complete needed maintenance work or safety repairs (35(c)(7)) | Official source |
| Hotline | No fee or fine for a maintenance hotline service or a call to one (35(c)(8)) | Official source |
| Routine upkeep | No fee or fine for the routine maintenance and upkeep of the unit (35(c)(9)) | Official source |
| Pests | No fee or fine for pest abatement or removal where the tenant has in no way contributed to the infestation (35(c)(10)) | Official source |
| Renaming | A landlord may not rename a fee or charge to avoid the Section (35(e)) | Official source |
| Exempt | Leases for dwelling units in owner-occupied premises with 6 units or fewer (35(e)) | Official source |
| Penalty | No fixed fine; any person alleging a violation may sue, and the court may order injunctive relief, monetary relief, attorney's fees and costs (35(f)) | Official source |
| Last verified | October 26, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Can I keep a flat monthly "maintenance fee" in the lease?
Not for covered leases. Section 35(c)(9) bans a fee or fine for routine maintenance and upkeep of the unit, and 35(e) says a landlord may not rename a fee or charge to avoid the Section.
Can I charge for pest control if the tenant caused the problem?
The pest ban in 35(c)(10) applies "where the tenant has in no way contributed to the infestation". The Section does not say how to charge when the tenant did contribute. Any non-optional fee must be on the first page of the lease (35(b)); ask an Illinois lawyer before billing one.
What happens if I charge one of these fees?
There is no fixed fine. Any person alleging a violation can sue, and the court may order injunctive relief, monetary relief, attorney's fees and costs (35(f)).
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What else do people ask?
Which other fees are banned?
Application fees over $50 (with a narrow background-check exception), duplicate screening fees, renewal or modification fees, eviction-notice fees and move-in or move-out walk-through fees (35(c)).
Can my city set stricter rules?
Yes. Local governments may regulate tenant fees, but their rules must restrict fees at least as much as the State law (35(d)).
Which leases are covered?
Residential leases entered into after the effective date, except owner-occupied buildings with 6 units or fewer.
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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