If the repair is yours to pay
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Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.
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Default rule and exceptions
The landlord's underlying repair duty in Illinois comes from the lease, applicable building code, or local ordinance; the Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/5) gives the tenant a repair-and-deduct remedy if the landlord doesn't act within 14 days of written notice.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Repair the condition once notified; the duty to repair itself is established by the lease, applicable law, administrative rule, or local ordinance, not by this statute directly. |
| Tenant | Give written notice; if the landlord fails to make the repair within 14 days (or more promptly in an emergency), the tenant may have the repair made in a workmanlike manner and, after submitting the paid bill, deduct it from rent, up to the lesser of $500 or half a month's rent (765 ILCS 742/5). |
| Exceptions | 765 ILCS 742 is a remedy statute, not a freestanding habitability-duty statute; the repair duty itself must come from the lease, law, administrative rule, or local ordinance. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 22, 2026.
If the landlord fails to make the repair within 14 days after being notified by the tenant as provided above or more promptly as conditions require in the case of an emergency, the tenant may have the repair made in a workmanlike manner and in compliance with the appropriate law, administrative rule, or local ordinance or regulation.
If a repair is required under a residential lease agreement or required under a law, administrative rule, or local ordinance or regulation, and the reasonable cost of the repair does not exceed the lesser of $500 or one-half of the monthly rent, the tenant may notify the landlord in writing
After submitting to the landlord a paid bill from an appropriate tradesman or supplier unrelated to the tenant, the tenant may deduct from his or her rent the amount of the bill, not to exceed the limits specified by this Section and not to exceed the reasonable price then customarily charged for the repair.
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Common questions
Who pays for rental / landlord-tenant repair in Statewide, IL?
The landlord. Repair the condition once notified; the duty to repair itself is established by the lease, applicable law, administrative rule, or local ordinance, not by this statute directly.
Are there exceptions in Statewide, IL?
765 ILCS 742 is a remedy statute, not a freestanding habitability-duty statute; the repair duty itself must come from the lease, law, administrative rule, or local ordinance.
What is this based on for Statewide, IL?
This verdict is sourced to 765 ILCS 742/5 - Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, "Repair; deduction from rent" and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- 765 ILCS 742/5 - Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, "Repair; deduction from rent"statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-22
- 765 ILCS 742/5 - Repair; deduction from rentstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-22
- 765 ILCS 742/5 - Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, "Repair; deduction from rent"statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-22
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