Repairing and Deducting from Rent

Where the lease or a law requires a repair and its reasonable cost is not more than the lesser of $500 or one-half of the monthly rent, the tenant may notify the landlord in writing, by registered or certified mail or other restricted delivery, that the repair will be made at the landlord's expense.

• If the landlord does not make the repair within 14 days of the notice, or sooner in an emergency, the tenant may have it made in a workmanlike manner and to code.
• An emergency is a condition that will cause irreparable harm to the apartment or its fixtures, or an immediate threat to anyone's health or safety.
• After giving the landlord a paid bill from a tradesman or supplier unrelated to the tenant, the tenant may deduct it from rent, within the limit and the reasonable customary price.

• §765 ILCS 742/5StatuteRepair; deduction from rentOpens ilga.gov ↗