New Safer Homes Summary Requirement & Eviction Rule on Minors
Updated for Illinois landlords, investors, and property managers – January 2026
Illinois rolled out important changes to residential leasing laws in 2026 that directly impact how leases must be prepared and how evictions must be filed. These updates are not optional — failure to comply can result in fines, dismissed court cases, and unnecessary legal exposure.
At PMI Service Group, we’ve already updated our internal processes to ensure our owners remain fully compliant. Here’s what you need to know.
New Lease Requirement: “Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act”
Beginning January 1, 2026, every written residential lease and renewal in Illinois must include the official:
Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act
(A 4-page, state-issued tenant rights disclosure)
The latest version can be downloaded from IDHR at this link: Summary of Rights for Safer Homes
What’s Required
The Summary must be the first pages of the lease package — placed before the lease agreement itself.
The Summary must be included with:
New leases
Renewals
Extensions
Each adult tenant must sign or initial every page of the Summary acknowledging receipt.
What’s Covered in the Summary
The Safer Homes Summary consolidates tenant protections under multiple Illinois laws, including:
The right for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking to:
Break a lease early without penalty
Request emergency lock changes
Protections against housing discrimination
Anti-retaliation rules for protected tenants
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to provide or properly acknowledge the Summary can result in:
Statutory damages (minimum $100 per violation, up to $2,000)
Tenant claims for actual damages
Attorney’s fees and court costs
👉 Bottom line: If your lease template hasn’t been updated yet, you are already out of compliance.
2026 Eviction Law Change: Minors May NOT Be Named
Another major update affects eviction filings.
What Changed?
As of January 1, 2026, minors (anyone under 18) may not be named as defendants in Illinois eviction lawsuits.
Why This Matters
If a minor’s name appears anywhere in an eviction complaint:
The entire case must be dismissed
The court record is sealed
The landlord must start over, losing weeks or months of time — and money
Even an accidental listing of a child can derail the case.
Best Practices
Review your tenant rosters before filing any eviction
Ensure your lease distinguishes clearly between:
Adult tenants
Minor occupants
Only list legally responsible adult tenants as defendants
What Landlords Should Do Right Now
To stay compliant in 2026, we recommend:
Updating all lease templates to include the Safer Homes Summary as the first pages
Training leasing staff to collect signatures or initials on all four pages
Reviewing eviction filing procedures to exclude all minors
Maintaining accurate household records including dates of birth
Working with a professional property manager who stays ahead of legal changes
Why Work With PMI Service Group?
At PMI Service Group, compliance is not an afterthought — it’s built into every lease, renewal, and eviction workflow we manage across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will, and surrounding counties.
Our systems are already updated for 2026 so our owners never have to worry about:
Missing mandatory disclosures
Invalid eviction filings
Costly legal mistakes
Need Help Updating Your Lease Forms?
If you’re unsure whether your current lease is compliant, or you want a professional review of your leasing process, contact PMI Service Group today.
We protect your investment — so you can focus on growing it.
