Can My Landlord Restrict My Guests? Know Your Rights in Private Housing
Can the landlord control the guests of tenants in private housing?
Yes. Landlords have more discretion over tenants in private housing in comparison to landlords of tenants in public housing.
Private landlords may restrict guests to visits of less than two weeks. They may also impose any guest restrictions agreed upon in the lease.
Unlike in public housing, private landlords do have the legal authority to create rules such as:
- A tenant must obtain written approval for guests,
- A tenant may not have more than one overnight guest at a time, and
- A tenant may not have an overnight guest more than twice in one week.
Can the landlord ban a guest?
Yes. 735 ILCS § 5/9-106.2(f). For more information about ban/barred lists, click here.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.