Understanding Tenant Rights: Landlord Entry into Rental Property

If you are renting an apartment or house, it is important to understand your rights when it comes to your landlord entering your home. Your landlord usually cannot enter your home without your permission, except for certain reasons.

Reasons why a landlord can enter a tenant's unit

Under the Mount Prospect Landlord and Tenant Regulations, a tenant cannot unreasonably refuse to allow the landlord in if they want to:

• Make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, or improvements;
• Show the unit to the Village of Mount Prospect during the authorized annual license inspection or during the investigation of a code violation complaint;
• Show the unit to prospective tenants, purchasers, mortgagees or contractors; or
• Conduct necessary inspections.

However, the landlord cannot abuse this right of access or use it to harass the tenant.

When a landlord should give notice

Unless it's an emergency, the landlord must give the tenant reasonable notice. There is no minimum number of hours or days. If practical, the landlord should try to enter at reasonable times (between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM or at the tenant's request). Section 23.1806(E) of the Mount Prospect Regulations.

What happens if the landlord did not give reasonable notice?

If the landlord (1) makes an unlawful entry, (2) a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner, (3) or makes lawful repeated demands that have the effect of harassing the tenant:

• The tenant may ask the judge for an injunction (court order to stop doing the wrong thing).
• Terminate the lease.
• Sue the landlord for damages equal to two months' rent and actual damages, costs, and fees.

Section 23.1813(C) of the Mount Prospect Regulations.