How Aurora Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

Aurora maintains 118 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Aurora falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Just Cause Eviction

Aurora has no local just cause eviction ordinance. Evictions follow Illinois Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9). Landlords may terminate month-to-month leases with 30-day notice. Retaliatory eviction is prohibited under state law.

Key details: Just Cause: No local ordinance. Non-Payment: 5-day notice. Lease Violation: 10-day cure notice. Month-to-Month: 30-day termination.

Self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs): illegal under IL law. Retaliatory eviction: tenant may raise as defense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Aurora gives residents more flexibility on just cause eviction.

Rental Registration

All non-owner-occupied and multi-unit properties must register with Aurora's Rental Licensing Program. Fees start at $90/year. Annual inspections required. Landlord training class (Crime Free Multi-Housing) mandatory. Background checks on tenants required.

Key details: Registration: All rentals required. Fee: Starting at $90/year. License Year: Sept 1 to Aug 31. Inspections: Annual. Training: Crime Free seminar required.

Operating without license: citation and fines. Failed inspection: correction timeline. Continued non-compliance: license revocation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Aurora actively enforces its rental registration requirements.

Rent Control

Aurora has no rent control. Illinois law (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825) prohibits municipalities from enacting rent control. Landlords may set and raise rents without caps. Market forces determine rental pricing.

Key details: Rent Control: None — state preempts. State Law: 50 ILCS 825. Rent Increases: No caps. Protection: IL Retaliatory Eviction Act only.

Not applicable — no rent control exists. Retaliatory rent increases may violate the IL Retaliatory Eviction Act.

Aurora is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Aurora gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Aurora can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.