The renters FAQ

Most property owners want to see income of roughly 3.5 times the monthly rent, a credit check, and a clean rental history. Have these ready and you can apply the same day you see the place: photo ID, your last two pay stubs or an offer letter, and contact info for your current property owner.

Chicago inventory moves fast, and being prepared gives you a better chance of winning the apartment.

Usually not, and you will always know before it matters. In most Chicago rentals the property owner or building pays our fee. When a property owner does not offer one, a fee may be yours to pay, and we tell you which situation you are in before you tour a place.

Either way, nothing is left to memory: you sign a broker representation agreement through Fulton Grace up front that spells out exactly how we are paid, so there are no surprises at lease signing. The whole agreement is explained in everyday words in our renters guide.

Illinois law protects your source of income. Since 2023, property owners in Illinois cannot turn you away simply because your income comes from a housing voucher, Social Security, or another lawful source rather than a paycheck. The details are on the Illinois Department of Human Rights site.

Usually yes, with the right building and preparation. A co-signer or guarantor, a larger move-in payment, or simply a property owner who weighs the whole picture can all get it done. Tell us your situation up front and we will point the search at buildings where it works.

About thirty to sixty days out. Chicago apartments mostly list four to six weeks before they are available, so looking four months early mainly shows you places you cannot have yet. Sixty days out is the sweet spot for options; thirty days out still works fine.

A security deposit is refundable and comes with strict rules in Chicago, receipts, separate accounting, and interest, so many property owners now charge a one-time, non-refundable move-in fee instead. A move-in fee is typically a few hundred dollars and you do not get it back; a deposit you should get back if you leave the place in good shape.

Plan for first month’s rent plus either a move-in fee or a deposit, and an application fee for the credit check. Some buildings add a small administrative fee. We will tell you the all-in number for any place before you apply, so there are no surprises.

Chicago’s Fair Notice ordinance sets minimums based on how long you have lived there: 30 days of notice in your first six months, 60 days after six months, and 120 days once you have been there more than three years. The city’s official summary is here.

Most property owners send renewal terms sixty to ninety days before the lease ends. That window is your negotiating moment: knowing what comparable places rent for is leverage, and we are glad to pull that for you before you sign anything.

Many buildings require it in the lease, and even when they do not, it is one of the cheaper good decisions in renting, usually the price of a couple of takeout orders a month to cover everything you own.

From September 15 to June 1, Chicago’s heat ordinance requires heat in rented homes: at least 68 degrees during the day and 66 overnight. If your property owner controls the heat and the place will not reach that, it is a violation, and the city’s page on it is here.

No. Under Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, a property owner generally must give you two days of notice before entering, with exceptions for real emergencies. Note that the ordinance covers most Chicago rentals but generally not owner-occupied buildings of six units or fewer.

Put the request in writing, even a text or email counts, and keep a copy. Most property owners fix things promptly; the written trail is what protects you if one does not. The city’s official RLTO summary lays out the remedies when repairs stall.

Sometimes, depending on your lease and your building. In buildings covered by the ordinance you generally have a right to sublease, and some property owners will negotiate an early termination for a fee. Talk to us before you act; the order you do things in matters, and we can usually help you find a clean exit.

Renting first is often the smart move, and when you are curious what buying would look like, start with our rent vs. buy calculator and the buyers FAQ. The math speaks for itself.