Illinois Rental Utilities: Who Pays and What Renters Need to Know

Understanding who is responsible for utilities such as electric, gas, water, and trash services is key to managing rental costs in Illinois. Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or renegotiating your lease, knowing your rights helps avoid surprise bills and confusion. This guide explains Illinois utility payment rules, what the law says, and what renters should do if problems arise.

How Utility Responsibilities Are Determined in Illinois Rentals

In Illinois, whether a renter or landlord must pay for utilities is usually spelled out in the rental agreement or lease. There is no broad state law that always requires one party to pay for every utility. Instead, you and your landlord can agree on who pays for what, as long as your lease clearly lists these details.

• Lease terms control: If your lease says you must pay electric and gas, you are responsible for setting up and paying the bills for those services.
• If a utility is included in your rent (“utilities included”), your landlord is responsible for those and cannot charge you extra unless your lease allows it.
• If your lease is silent or unclear about a specific utility, talk to your landlord before signing or moving in to get clarification in writing.

If you rent in a multi-unit building with shared utilities (like heat or water), the landlord may split costs or charge an estimated fee, but must explain how charges are determined.

What the Illinois Law Says About Utilities in Rentals

Illinois landlord-tenant utility rules come from the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act and the Illinois Rental Property Utility Service Act¹. Local city rules, such as Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, may have extra protections.

• Landlords cannot cut off or threaten to cut off utilities to force you out; utility shutoffs as an eviction method are illegal.
• If utilities are to be paid by the landlord, but the landlord fails to pay and service is cut off, you may have the right to pay the bill yourself and deduct it from your rent.²
• Landlords must never bill tenants for utilities beyond what the utility company charges, unless administrative fees are clearly disclosed in the lease.

Official Forms Related to Utilities and Renters’ Rights in Illinois

While Illinois does not have a standard statewide “utility responsibility” form, key forms for renters dealing with utility shutoffs or disputes include:

• Complaint Form for Utility Services (ICC Consumer Services Division): Used if you have a dispute with your utility provider (not your landlord). Submit this form to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) if you believe your utility has acted unfairly or disconnected service in error.
• Rental Housing Complaint Form (Illinois Attorney General): Useful if your landlord unlawfully disconnects, withholds, or fails to pay for promised utilities. File this form with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to report issues relating to rental housing or utility service in your rental unit.

For example, if your landlord turns off your water to force you to move out, you can document the issue and file the Rental Housing Complaint Form with the Attorney General.

Who Handles Rental Utility Disputes in Illinois?

Tenant-landlord utility and billing issues are usually handled by local courts. However, renters in Chicago and Cook County can seek help from:

• Cook County Circuit Court, Chancery Division
• Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) office (for Chicago rentals)

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office also helps protect renter rights statewide and accepts housing-related complaints.

Steps to Take if Utility Problems Arise in Your Rental

If you find yourself without a needed utility or facing unexpected utility bills, take these steps to protect your rights:

• Check your lease to confirm who is responsible for the utility in question.
• Document the issue: Take photos, save bills, and write down dates and times of outages or landlord interactions.
• Notify your landlord in writing and request prompt resolution.
• If the issue isn’t resolved, contact city rental services or file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General.
• For utility company disputes (instead of landlord disputes), report the issue to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

FAQ: Common Questions About Utilities in Illinois Rentals

1. Does my landlord have to pay for all utilities in Illinois? No. Utility responsibility is usually set by your lease. The landlord must pay any utility included in your lease or advertised as "utilities included."
2. Can my landlord turn off my utilities if I don't pay rent? No. It is illegal for a landlord to disconnect utilities to force payment or eviction. Only a court order can remove a tenant.
3. What should I do if my landlord refuses to fix a utility shutoff? Document everything, notify the landlord in writing, and contact the Illinois Attorney General or local housing authorities for support.
4. Are landlords required to separate utility meters for each unit? Not always. However, if you are individually metered and billed, you should only pay for your own usage.
5. Can I deduct a utility payment from my rent if my landlord doesn’t pay? In some cases, yes, if the landlord was responsible and failed to pay. Always document your actions and seek legal advice first.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Illinois Renters

• Utility payment responsibilities are usually defined by your lease. Get clear, written answers before you sign.
• Landlords cannot cut off utilities for non-payment of rent—it’s against Illinois law.
• If there’s a utility or billing problem, document everything and contact the right agency for help.

Understanding these rules helps you avoid trouble and protect your rights as a renter in Illinois.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Illinois Attorney General: Tenants’ Rights – file complaints, get advice, and access tenant protections.
• Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC): Utility Complaints – for issues with electric, gas, water, or telecommunications service providers.
• Cook County Circuit Court: Chancery Division – tribunal handling rental disputes in Cook County.
• City of Chicago RLTO – for renters in Chicago city limits.

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1. Illinois Rental Property Utility Service Act
2. Illinois Security Deposit Return Act

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