Housing Laws

If you, or a member of your household, are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, or stalking, you may be able to get out of your lease early and without penalty. There are two different ways you may be able to break your lease:

1. if you (the tenant) or a member of your household is under a credible imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence at the place where you are living; or
2. if you (the tenant) or a member of your household has already experienced sexual violence within the last 60 days at the place where you are living or in the surrounding areas that are controlled by the landlord;¹ for example, in your apartment building’s parking lot.

Note: A “credible imminent threat” means that it is believable that if you do not move, you could very soon be the victim of domestic or sexual violence.

The requirements of the notice that you will have to give your landlord for each of the two scenarios above are slightly different. For more information, go to What notice do I have to give the landlord to break my lease?

¹ 765 ILCS 750/15