Month to Month Apartments For Rent In Chicago

For the ultimate in flexibility, month-to-month Chicago rentals are where it's at. These are popular during the summer months and periods of good weather, and they're a big hit with college students coming to the city for work or those searching for long-term housing and wanting the ability to scout out neighborhoods and long-term rentals in person.

While month-to-month apartment rentals provide the flexibility of no set end date and the freedom to move out with minimal notice, it's important to note that they may come at a premium price compared to longer lease terms. Also, the availability of monthly apartment rentals may be limited during peak seasons.

Is a Month to Month Lease Legal in Chicago?

Yes, but landlords are wise to note that just because the month-to-month lease agreement is more flexible than a longer-term lease, the standards and regulations of the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (CRLTO) may still apply to the apartment. Illinois law definitely still applies to any dwelling regardless of the month-to-month lease term. Find out which types of apartments fall under the guidelines of the CRLTO here.

What Are the Benefits of a Month to Month Lease?

The primary benefit of having a month-to-month lease is flexibility. If a tenant lives in an apartment on a month to month lease and they need to move for whatever reason, say they find a job in a different city or state or they find an apartment that they like better, that tenant can conveniently move out without having to find a sublessor to cover the remainder of the lease term. The rent can often be higher on a monthly lease agreement because this kind of flexibility is a premium that will be highly desirable for the right type of renter.

What are the Risks of a Month to Month Lease?

The inverse side of the above scenario. What if your tenant decides they want to move out? Then the landlord is responsible for finding another renter. While this is not so challenging if landlords are savvy enough to use a local apartment site like Domu, it will require some preparation to clean the unit, take incredible photos of the apartment, post the listing, schedule showings and follow up on qualified inquiries.

Should I Require a 30-Day Notice on a Month to Month Lease?

Yes. Preparing an apartment to list and show is no small task, and as such, it would benefit landlords to have a 30-day notice in a month-to-month lease agreement. However, the 30-day notice also empowers landlords to end the lease whenever they want. If landlords wish to renovate, it takes a simple 30-day notice to make the apartment vacant so construction can begin.