Illinois Renters Have Few Rights When it Comes to Mold

Illinois Renters Have Few Rights When it Comes to Mold

  • Posted: May 20, 2016
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A lot of Illinois renters call us at Mold Inspection Illinois with questions about their rights and how to get their landlords to take care of mold infestations. So many, in fact, that we decided to dedicate an entire blog post to answering this question. Here’s what you should know.

There aren’t many laws protecting renters in the state of Illinois. That’s why the lease agreement is such an essential part of your relationship with your landlord. In most cases, if it’s not on the lease, it’s not their problem.

Though landlords are required to have their buildings inspected, they’re only inspected for surface issues like electrical wiring and visible mold. However, if there’s mold behind the walls, inspectors might miss it.

Additionally, the laws only vaguely state that landlords must make sure their housing is “livable,” which can be defined any way they like. So what are Illinois renters to do if they find mold in their apartments and their landlord refuses to help?

Well they can get a professional inspection and take legal action or they can pay for the remediation themselves. Either way though, it’s not a great situation to be in. That’s why we recommend taking precautions before you sign a lease.

Read your lease agreement carefully before signing it and make sure to take a lot of photos before you move in, so they can’t pin any damage on you when you move out. In short, be diligent and do your research, since it can be a bit of a gamble to rent.

We also recommend that Illinois renters check out the Illinois Tenants Union to get a more comprehensive look at what their rights are.

If you are experiencing issues with mold in your rented home or apartment, schedule an inspection through us at Mold Inspection Illinois. We’ll give you the confirmation you need to get your landlord to take care of the issue.

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