SPRINGFIELD – To protect the over one third of all Illinoisans who are renters, State Senator Mike Simmons passed legislation through the Senate that bans excessive junk fees and requires lease transparency.

“When a tenant signs a lease, they shouldn’t be surprised by charges included in their rent, especially for things like after-hours service requests, modifying or renewing a lease, or routine maintenance and upkeep of the rental unit. And yet, apartment fees are rising. House Bill 3564 protects renters from 11 excessive fees and ensures the renting process is transparent and fair, while maintaining landlords' access to the most common tenant screening tools,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “HB3564 provides tenants with the right to know what fees they might expect, how much they cost, and how they will be charged on the first page of a lease.”

Under House Bill 3564, landlords and renters would have an outline of which types of fees can be charged to a tenant, how those fees must be disclosed and the manner in which they can be charged. This legislation would require all other fees connected to a tenant’s lease to be disclosed on the first page of the lease agreement along with a description of each fee, including a statement on whether utilities are covered within the rent. Tenants would not be responsible for paying any fee not disclosed within the lease.

Under the bill, landlords wouldn’t be able to charge tenants for a total of 11 fees, including modifying or renewing a lease, for the receipt of an eviction notice unless it is granted, for routine maintenance and upkeep, for pest abatement and removal, or for contacting the building owner or property manager.

“This bill is a direct result of the hardship renters have shared with me and my office, and the barrier excessive fees create in accessing affordable, quality housing. I have also had many meetings and conversations with landlords and property owners from across the state, and have listened and considered many points of view. We have worked together closely on this legislation,” said Simmons. “This bill has protections for mom and pop and smaller landlords, and is really aimed at preventing bad-actor landlords from taking advantage of tenants. This will put real money back into renters’ pockets, into local economies, and help keep affordable housing truly affordable.”

House Bill 3564 passed the Senate on Thursday.

###