Understanding Leases: What if the Landlord Doesn’t Sign or Give a Tenant a Copy of the Lease in Cook County?
Question: What if my landlord does not give me a copy of the lease that I signed? What if my landlord does not sign the lease?
Answer: Sometimes, tenants might run into issues when the landlord says that the tenant doesn’t have a valid lease. Section 42-804(E) of the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance resolves this question.
If the Cook County RTLO applies, then:
- If the landlord and tenant agreed to a written lease BUT the landlord fails to sign the lease, there is a 1-year lease in effect as long as the landlord accepted rent.
- If the landlord and tenant agreed to a written lease BUT the landlord fails to give a copy of the lease, there is a 1-year lease in effect as long as the landlord accepted rent.
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.