Illinois Rental Application

This Rental Application is used by landlords and property managers in Illinois to collect information from prospective tenants for screening and qualification purposes. Illinois landlords must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/), and (where applicable) the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) and the Illinois Tenant Background Check Act.

Important Compliance Notes:
- Application fees may not exceed the actual out-of-pocket costs of screening (credit, background, etc.). Any excess must be refunded or not charged.
- Criminal history screening is limited under the Illinois Tenant Background Check Act; blanket bans on applicants with any criminal record are generally not permitted.
- For properties in Chicago, landlords must provide applicants a summary of tenant rights under the RLTO (often at or before application or lease signing).
- Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or other protected classes under state and federal law is prohibited.

This form collects the information needed for responsible screening while complying with applicable law.

Property and Landlord / Manager Information

Property Address for Which Application is Submitted:
[[Street Address]]
[[Unit Number (if applicable)]]
[[City]], Illinois [[ZIP Code]]

Landlord / Property Manager / Management Company:
Name: [[Landlord or Management Company Name]]
Address for Applications: [[Application Submission Address]]
Phone: [[Phone Number]]
Email: [[Email Address]]
Application Contact: [[Contact Person Name]]

Monthly Rent for Unit: $[[Monthly Rent Amount]]
Security Deposit (if known at application stage): $[[Security Deposit Amount or "To be determined"]]
Other Recurring Fees (pet, parking, etc.): [[Describe or "None disclosed at this stage"]]

Date Application Submitted: [[Date Application Received]], -

Applicant Information

Primary Applicant Full Legal Name: [[Primary Applicant Full Legal Name]]

Date of Birth: [[MM/DD/YYYY]]
Social Security Number (last 4 for verification; full SSN may be requested separately for screening): [[Last 4 digits or "To be provided for screening"]]

Current Address:
[[Current Street Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]
How long at current address: [[Duration]]
Current Landlord / Property Manager Name and Phone: [[Current Landlord Name and Phone]]

Previous Address (if less than 2 years at current):
[[Previous Street Address]]
[[City]], [[State]] [[ZIP Code]]
Duration: [[Duration]]
Previous Landlord Name and Phone: [[Previous Landlord Name and Phone]]

Phone: [[Primary Phone Number]]
Email: [[Email Address]]

Driver's License / State ID Number and State: [[DL/ID Number and Issuing State]]

Co-Applicant(s) / Other Adult Household Members (attach additional sheets if needed):
[[Full Legal Name(s), Date of Birth, Relationship to Primary Applicant]], -

Household Composition

List all persons who will reside in the unit (including children):

1. [[Name]], Age: [[Age]], Relationship: [[Relationship]]

2. [[Name]], Age: [[Age]], Relationship: [[Relationship]]

3. [[Name]], Age: [[Age]], Relationship: [[Relationship]]

4. [[Name]], Age: [[Age]], Relationship: [[Relationship]]

5. [[Name]], Age: [[Age]], Relationship: [[Relationship]]

Total number of occupants: [[Total]]

Do any household members require a reasonable accommodation due to disability? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, describe the requested accommodation (separate form may be provided): [[Description]], -

Employment and Income Information

Primary Applicant Employment:
Current Employer: [[Employer Name]]
Position / Title: [[Job Title]]
Employer Address: [[Employer Address]]
Supervisor / HR Contact: [[Supervisor or HR Name and Phone]]
Length of Employment: [[Duration]]
Gross Monthly Income: $[[Gross Monthly Income]]

Additional Income Sources (Social Security, pension, child support, alimony, gig work, etc.):
[[Source and Amount, e.g. "Child Support: $500/month" or "None"]]

Co-Applicant Employment (if applicable):
Employer: [[Employer Name]]
Position: [[Job Title]]
Gross Monthly Income: $[[Gross Monthly Income]]

Total Combined Gross Monthly Household Income: $[[Total Gross Monthly Income]]

Bank / Financial References (optional but may be requested):
Bank Name: [[Bank Name]]
Account Types: [[Checking / Savings / Other]], -

Rental / Housing History

Provide at least the last two rental or housing situations (landlord references will be contacted):

1. Landlord Name: [[Landlord Name]]
Property Address: [[Address]]
Dates of Tenancy: [[From, To]]
Monthly Rent Paid: $[[Amount]]
Reason for Leaving: [[Reason]]

2. Landlord Name: [[Landlord Name]]
Property Address: [[Address]]
Dates of Tenancy: [[From, To]]
Monthly Rent Paid: $[[Amount]]
Reason for Leaving: [[Reason]]

Have you or any household member ever been evicted or asked to vacate? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, explain (date, location, outcome): [[Explanation]]

Have you or any household member ever been a party to a lawsuit involving a landlord/tenant matter? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, explain: [[Explanation]], -

Credit and Background Information

Credit History Authorization: By signing this application, the applicant(s) authorize the landlord or its agents to obtain credit reports, criminal background checks, eviction history, and other screening reports from consumer reporting agencies and public records.

Criminal / Background Disclosure (required under Illinois Tenant Background Check Act considerations):
Have you or any household member ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic offenses)? [[Yes / No]]

If yes, provide details (offense, jurisdiction, year, disposition): [[Details]]

Note: A conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant. The landlord will conduct an individualized assessment considering the nature and severity of the offense, time elapsed, and any rehabilitation, consistent with applicable fair housing guidance and the Illinois Tenant Background Check Act.

Eviction / Unlawful Detainer History:
Have you or any household member been named in an eviction or unlawful detainer action in the last [[Number, e.g. 7]] years? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, details: [[Details]], -

Personal / Professional References

1. Name: [[Reference 1 Full Name]]
Relationship: [[Relationship]]
Phone: [[Phone]]
Email: [[Email]]

2. Name: [[Reference 2 Full Name]]
Relationship: [[Relationship]]
Phone: [[Phone]]
Email: [[Email]]

3. Name: [[Reference 3 Full Name]]
Relationship: [[Relationship]]
Phone: [[Phone]]
Email: [[Email]], -

Emergency Contact

Primary Emergency Contact (not residing with applicant):
Name: [[Emergency Contact Full Name]]
Relationship: [[Relationship]]
Phone: [[Phone]]
Address: [[Address]], -

Application Fee and Screening Costs

Application / Screening Fee: $[[Application Fee Amount, must not exceed actual screening costs]]

This fee covers the actual costs of obtaining credit reports, background checks, and related screening. Any amount collected in excess of actual costs will be refunded or credited. A receipt or itemized statement of costs will be provided upon request.

Method of Payment: [[Cash / Check / Money Order / Electronic / Other]]

Date Fee Received: [[Date]], -

Tenant Rights Summary (Chicago Properties, RLTO)

If the property is located in the City of Chicago, the landlord must provide the applicant with a summary of rights under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). This summary is typically provided with the application packet or at the time of lease offer and includes (but is not limited to):

• Right to a written lease
• Limits on security deposits and return timelines
• Notice requirements for rent increases and terminations
• Prohibition on retaliatory conduct
• Requirements for heat, habitability, and repairs
• Just-cause protections in certain buildings
• Prohibition on lockouts and utility shutoffs

Chicago Applicant Acknowledgment: I acknowledge that I have been offered or provided a copy of the Chicago RLTO tenant rights summary (or will receive it prior to lease signing). [[Initials or "N/A, Property not in Chicago"]], -

Applicant Certification and Authorization

I/We certify that all information provided in this Illinois Rental Application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my/our knowledge. I/We understand that any false statement or omission may result in denial of tenancy or termination of any lease subsequently entered.

I/We authorize the landlord, property manager, and their agents or screening providers to:
1. Verify all information provided, including employment, income, rental history, credit, and background.
2. Obtain consumer reports (credit and background) and public records.
3. Contact references, current and prior landlords, employers, and financial institutions.

I/We understand that the application fee is non-refundable except to the extent it exceeds actual screening costs or as otherwise required by law.

Primary Applicant Signature: ________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Primary Applicant Printed Name]]

Co-Applicant Signature: ________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Co-Applicant Printed Name]], -

Landlord / Agent Use Only (Internal)

Date Application Received: [[Date]]
Fee Received: $[[Amount]], Method: [[Method]]
Screening Ordered: [[Date, Credit / Background / Eviction / Other]]
Screening Results Received: [[Date]]
Decision: [[Approved / Conditionally Approved / Denied]]
Date Applicant Notified: [[Date]]
Adverse Action Notice Provided (if applicable): [[Yes / No, Date]]

Notes: [[Internal notes, do not share with applicant]], -

Pre-Application / Processing Checklist

1. Confirm application fee does not exceed actual screening costs.

2. Provide Chicago RLTO rights summary if property is in Chicago.

3. Use consistent screening criteria for all applicants (no discriminatory filters).

4. Perform individualized assessment on any criminal history.

5. Retain application and screening records in accordance with record retention and privacy laws.

6. If denying, provide adverse action notice with copy of consumer report and rights under FCRA if applicable.

7. Do not request information prohibited by fair housing laws (e.g., certain medical information unless for accommodation)., -

Illinois Rental Application Key Legal References

Disclaimer and Sources

Template, not professional legal advice. This is a sample rental application form only. Landlords must comply with federal fair housing laws, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Tenant Background Check Act, and (for Chicago properties) the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Application fees, screening practices, and use of criminal history are regulated. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney or review current statutes and local ordinances before using this form or making rental decisions. Forms and policies should be reviewed regularly for legal changes.

Sources (as of June 2026):
- 775 ILCS 5/, Illinois Human Rights Act
- 765 ILCS 121/, Illinois Tenant Background Check Act
- Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 5-12, Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance
- Federal Fair Housing Act and HUD guidance on criminal background screening
- Illinois Legal Aid and ILGA.gov resources

*End of Illinois Rental Application*