30 days of notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, decline to renew your lease or raise your rent if you have lived in your apartment for less than six months. 60 days of notice for the same if you have lived in your apartment for more than six months but less than three years.
While the overall short-term rental market in Chicago does experience some seasonal fluctuations, with higher demand and prices during the summer months, these 6-9 month leases remain a reliable and consistently available option for those needing a medium-term housing solution.
Shop at the end of winter for better deals. Fewer people want to move in winter, which means less competition for whatever units are empty. By the time March and April roll around, rates will typically have plummeted to their yearly lowest.
Rent went up 1.4% in June, and rent has gone up 6.2% in the first six months of 2024. Like any market, housing prices are governed by supply and demand. New housing lowers prices, while a lack of housing and new construction raises prices. Chicago rents are reaching record highs as new construction slows.
The absolute maximum term allowed for leases will vary by state, which in many cases is 99 years. Some states leave lease limits up to the lessor and lessee. Other states put limitations on only certain types of leases, such as leases with municipalities, or agricultural leases.
Landlords want to ensure that you can comfortably afford the rent for your apartment. In Chicago, they typically require monthly gross income to be at least 3 to 3.5 times the monthly rent. For example, if the monthly rent is $2,000, monthly gross income should exceed $6,000.
Most leases in Chicago are for a one year term, often with a summer starting and ending date. This is a good arrangement for both landlords and tenants because the term provides certainty and moving in the summer is far easier than in the winter.
An example of a fixed lease term is leasing a building at $1,500/month for 24 months. An example of a periodic term is leasing a storage unit for $500 a month, with the option to continue for another month in perpetuity. The lease ends when either the landlord or tenant gives notice.
To determine the lease term, a company first determines the length of the non- cancellable period of a lease and the period for which the contract is enforceable. It can then determine – between those two limits – the length of the lease term.
Ing to the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 12, Section 5-12-130(j), a landlord is required to provide written notice of the landlord's intent not to renew the lease at least 30 days prior to the termination of the lease term.