Can a tenant about to occupy the premises ask the landlord to change the locks in Illinois?
Full Question:
I will shift to a rented house next month. At present, the said rental property is in the possession of another tenant. As I will be living alone, I want the rental property to be secure and for this reason, I want the landlord to change the locks once the existing tenant vacates the premises. Is there a rule in Illinois based on which I can ask the landlord to change locks of the rental premises before giving the rental premises to me?
01/19/2017 |
Category: Landlord Tenant |
State: Illinois |
#30585
Answer:
765 ILCS 705/15 reads:
“(b) After a dwelling unit has been vacated and on or before the day that a new lessee takes possession of the dwelling unit, the lessor shall change or rekey the immediate access to the lessee's individual dwelling unit. For the purposes of this Section, "change or rekey" means:
(1) replacing the lock;
(2) replacing the locking or cylinder mechanism in the lock so that a different key is used to unlock the lock;
(3) changing the combination on a combination or digital lock;
(4) changing an electronic lock so that the means or method of unlocking the lock is changed from the immediately prior tenant; or
(5) otherwise changing the means of gaining access to the lessee's locked individual dwelling unit so that it is not identical to the prior lessee's means of gaining access to the lessee's locked individual dwelling unit.”
(1) replacing the lock;
(2) replacing the locking or cylinder mechanism in the lock so that a different key is used to unlock the lock;
(3) changing the combination on a combination or digital lock;
(4) changing an electronic lock so that the means or method of unlocking the lock is changed from the immediately prior tenant; or
(5) otherwise changing the means of gaining access to the lessee's locked individual dwelling unit so that it is not identical to the prior lessee's means of gaining access to the lessee's locked individual dwelling unit.”
In the given instance, under 765 ILCS 705/15, you may ask your landlord to change the locks of the house before giving the possession of the rental property to you.