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Housing and Real Estate
This hub is for landlords and housing providers looking to comply with Illinois fair housing laws. Other applicable laws - such as the Illinois Safe Homes Act - are covered here for your reference but their enforcement is not handled by IDHR. If you've experienced housing discrimination, learn more about your rights here.
Have you been named in a filing with the Illinois Department of Human Rights? Learn more about your responsibilities and the overall process here.
Specialized requirements based on Company Type
Safer Homes Act
Illinois' Safe Homes Act protects tenants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. As a landlord, you have specific obligations to support these tenants.
Your obligations
You must:
- Allow early lease termination under certain conditions
- Change locks when requested for safety reasons
- Not discriminate against someone because they're a survivor
- Protect tenant privacy about their situation
Important: Survivors must provide documentation (like a protective order or police report) to request these protections. You cannot require more proof than what the law specifies.
Fair Housing Basics
Who is protected under Illinois Law?
You cannot discriminate based on:
Race, color, national origin, ancestry
Religion
Sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy)
Disability
Familial status (having children under 18)
Age
Military status
Order of protection status
What's prohibited?
You cannot do the following based on protected characteristics:
- Refuse to rent or sell because of a protected characteristic
Set different terms or conditions (like higher rent or deposits)
Advertise in a way that suggests preference or limitation
Harass tenants or fail to address harassment by others
Refuse reasonable accommodations for disabilities
Retaliate against someone who filed a complaint
Remember: Fair housing law applies to almost all housing providers - including landlords, property managers, real estate agents, homeowners associations, and mortgage lenders.
Reasonable accommodations and modifications
What are reasonable accommodations?
An accommodation is a change to a rule, policy, practice, or service that a person with a disability needs to have equal access to housing.
Reasonable accommodations examples:
Allowing a service or emotional support animal despite a "no pets" policy
Assigning an accessible parking space
Adjusting payment schedules for disability-related reasons
Providing documents in alternative formats
Reasonable modifications examples:
Allowing a tenant to install grab bars in the bathroom
Permitting a ramp at the entrance
Allowing a tenant to lower kitchen counters
Process and Costs
Your process:
Consider each request individually
Engage in conversation with the tenant
Grant it unless it creates undue financial burden
Keep medical information confidential
Cost considerations:
Accommodations: You typically pay
Modifications: Tenant typically pays for installation; you may require they restore the unit when they move out (if reasonable)
Resources
- Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications Guide
This comprehensive guide, developed with Access Living, provides detailed information and best practices.
Required postings and notices
Fair housing poster
All housing providers should post the fair housing notice where prospective tenants can see it - like in your office, leasing center, or model units.
Training and Resources
- Reasonable Accommodations Guidebook (multiple languages)
- Fair Housing Implications of Nuisance and Crime-Free Ordinances A Guide for Local Government
- What Real Estate Professionals Should Know Essential information for agents, brokers, and property managers about fair housing compliance.
Fair Housing Training
Free training for landlords. This free webinar covers:
Protected classes under Illinois law
Common fair housing violations
How to handle accommodation requests
Best practices for advertising and tenant selection