New Lease Requirement: Safe Homes Act Summary Must Be the First Page

Starting January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires landlords to include a Safe Homes Act summary as the first page of certain leases. This change is meant to make sure tenants know their rights if they experience domestic or sexual violence. 

What Is the Safe Homes Act? 

The Illinois Safe Homes Act (765 ILCS 752/1, et seq.) protects tenants who experience: 

• Intimate partner violence 
• Sexual assault 
• Stalking 

The law allows survivors to take steps to protect their safety, such as requesting lease changes or ending a lease early without penalty in some situations. Click here to learn more.  

What Changed in 2026? 

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) created an official summary of tenant rights under the Safe Homes Act. Landlords now have a legal duty to give this summary to tenants. 

When Is the Summary Required? 

The IDHR summary must be: 

• Attached as the first page of every residential lease 
• Included with all leases signed or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 
• If a lease was signed before that date and not renewed, this requirement does not apply. 

Signature Requirement 

Each page of the summary must include space at the bottom for the tenant to sign, acknowledging receipt 

The signed acknowledgment can be used by the landlord as proof that they followed the law. 

What If the Landlord Does Not Provide the Summary? 

If the landlord fails to provide the summary or the required acknowledgment: 

• The law creates a rebuttable presumption that the landlord did not comply 
• This means the court will assume the landlord violated the law unless the landlord can prove otherwise 

Tenant Remedies 

If a landlord violates this requirement, a tenant may recover: 

• Actual damages, up to $2,000, or 
• $100, whichever applies 

The court may also award: 

• Court costs 
• Reasonable attorney’s fees 

Why This Matters 

Survivors of violence often need quick access to accurate information about their housing rights. By requiring this summary to be the first page of the lease, the law helps ensure tenants receive that information early and in writing. 

Bottom Line: For leases signed or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, the Safe Homes Act summary must be the first page of the lease and include a place for the tenant’s signature. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may be entitled to damages and attorney’s fees.