2025 Chicago Residential Lease

Every year the City of Chicago and the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) release a new lease, and the 2025 Chicago Lease is now available.

If you need support with leasing, tenant screening, or managing your leases or property, please visit our sister company, PRG Management’s Rental Management Services page for more information. As always, we recommend an additional addendum to protect our clients further.

For current clients to receive a free digital copy of the 2025 Chicago Lease, please complete the form below and our team will email you a version to download for the transaction.

Chicago Lease Download

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Significant updates have been made to the Chicago Residential Lease for 2025 to address new legal requirements and improve clarity for landlords and tenants alike. One of the most notable changes is the addition of a disclosure requirement under an amendment to the Illinois Landlord Tenant Act. Beginning January 1, 2025, landlords must disclose whether a property is located in a floodplain and report any flooding events within the past 10 years. For units classified as “lower level” — including garden-level, basement, or first-floor units — landlords must disclose whether the unit has flooded and the number of occurrences in the last decade. The lease now includes specific language to fulfill these disclosure requirements, ensuring compliance both before and after the lease signing process.

Other updates to the lease include:

• Revisions to the Security Deposit section to align with the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO).
• Changes to the “Use of Premises” section, specifying that occupants listed on the lease, rather than on the application, are authorized.
• Inclusion of Window A/C units and their quantity in the inventory of landlord-owned personal property.
• Minor revisions to the Notices section and the Tenant’s Personal Property clause to improve clarity and consistency.

These updates aim to modernize the lease document, enhancing its usability and accessibility without introducing new tenant protections. Additionally, landlords should be aware of a separate Illinois state law enacted in 2024 that prohibits requiring tenants to use specific payment methods, such as electronic funds transfer systems, for rent payments.

At Pearson Realty Group, we integrate these updates into all lease agreements to ensure compliance and transparency. We recommend adding tailored protective clauses in an appendix to address unique needs. The 2025 Chicago Residential Lease is a vital resource for all landlords in the city. Obtain your copy today by filling out the form on this page! For tenants seeking apartments or landlords needing support with tenant vetting and background checks, our team is here to help, contact us today for professional assistance.