(The Center Square) – Legislation that would put several more restrictions on Illinois landlords is moving through Springfield.
The Rental Fee Transparency and Fairness Act found in House Bill 3564 passed the Illinois House, but has pending Senate amendments to prohibit a number of other charges a landlord uses to recoup funds to pay for damages. The original version prohibited any type of move-in fee.
Mike Glasser, president of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, said landlords need move-in fees for two reasons.
“One is, because we don’t take security deposits, we have funds available to help us to repair damage in apartments, and secondly, the move-in fees help us endure the true costs of moving folks into apartments,” said Glasser.
The bill now would mandate that if the housing provider charges a move-in or move-out fee, the housing provider must provide an itemized list of the cost of the services, including “bundled services.”
The measure also would prohibit so-called “junk fees,” such as a fee or fine ancillary to the application fee, a fee or fine for modification or renewal of a lease agreement, or a fee or fine for an eviction notice or the filing of an eviction action.
Glasser said the sponsors of the bill are missing the big picture.
“This is a small little potential Band-aid which is not going to work in my opinion, but the bigger problem is that there is not enough housing and that’s where the focus should be,” said Glasser.
The measure is expected to be presented in the Senate Executive Committee and if amended and passed in the Senate, the bill will have to return to the Illinois House for concurrence.
Legislators are scheduled to adjourn May 31.
