Eviction Prevention: I Want to Stay in Chicago

Personal Circumstances Are Not Legal Reasons to Stop an Eviction

Life inevitably has bumps in the road:

• You lost your job.
• You couldn’t pay rent after covering funeral expenses for a family member.
• You got sick and couldn’t work.
• You have a disability that affected your ability to pay rent on time.

Unfortunately, the law is strict when it comes to eviction. If a tenant doesn’t pay rent, cure a lease violation, or move out after receiving a nonrenewal notice, the landlord can file an eviction case.

However, there are steps you can take to stay in your home if you want to stop the eviction.

If You Received a 5-Day Notice for Nonpayment of Rent

• A 5-day notice is the first step in the eviction process for not paying rent.
• To stop the eviction, you must pay the full amount of rent owed within the 5-day period.
• After paying, inform your landlord in writing that you’ve paid. Keep proof of your payment in case they still try to move forward with the eviction.

If You Received a 10-Day Notice for Lease Violations

• A 10-day notice is given when the landlord claims you’ve violated the lease.
• To stop the eviction, you must fix the problem within 10 days. For example, if the violation is having unauthorized pets, removing the pets may stop the eviction.
• Be sure to notify your landlord in writing that you have fixed the issue to avoid misunderstandings. Save proof of any changes you made to comply with the lease.

If You Received a Notice of Nonrenewal

• A nonrenewal notice means the landlord doesn’t plan to renew your lease, and you must move out by the end of the lease term.
• If you don’t move out in time, you can’t stop the landlord from filing for eviction. At this point, the best option may be to negotiate more time to move, but the landlord is not required to agree.

Other Options: 

• Negotiating with the Landlord: If you’re facing difficulties, try talking to your landlord. Some landlords may be willing to:
  • Set up a payment plan to catch up on rent
  • Give you more time to fix a lease violation
  • Agree to a move-out timeline if you need extra time after a nonrenewal
• Seek Rental Assistance: Look into local programs that provide rental assistance. Some programs help tenants pay back rent, which could prevent an eviction. You can contact local housing authorities, charities, or community organizations for help.