Article IX. Eviction · Part 3. Distress for Rent · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 9-320 requires the owner of an absentee-managed residential building with more than four units to post the building manager's and fire insurer's contact information, and to post notice within 24 hours if that fire insurance is cancelled.
(a)An owner of residential real property containing more than 4 living units, who does not reside or maintain an office therein and does not employ a manager or agent who resides or maintains an office therein, shall:
(1)post or cause to be posted on such residential real property adjacent to the mailboxes or within the interior of such residential real property in a location visible to all the residents, a notice of not less than 20 square inches in size bearing:
(i)the name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for managing the building; and
(ii)the name, address and telephone number of the company or companies insuring such residential real property against loss or damage by fire or explosion or if the residential real property is not insured, that shall be stated in the notice; and
(2)within 24 hours from the time such owner is notified that any company or companies insuring such residential real property against loss or damage by fire or explosion has cancelled such insurance, post or cause to be posted in the manner provided in subparagraph (1) notice of such cancellation.
(b)In lieu of the requirement for posting the notices prescribed in subsection (a) of this Section and the owner's managing agent may include such notice in a written rental or lease agreement or may give such notice by first class mail addressed to the lessee or renter.
(c)Failure to give any notice required by this Section is a petty offense and shall subject the owner to pay a fine of not more than $100 per day of violation.
Plain-English Summary
Section 9-320 stands apart from the distress and lien provisions around it — it is a tenant-notice requirement rather than a landlord collection remedy. It applies to an owner of residential real property containing more than four living units where the owner does not reside or maintain an office on the property, and does not employ a manager or agent who resides or maintains an office there.
That kind of absentee owner must post a notice of at least twenty square inches, placed either near the mailboxes or somewhere inside the building visible to residents. The notice must give the name, address, and telephone number of the person responsible for managing the building, and it must also give the name, address, and telephone number of the company or companies insuring the property against loss or damage by fire or explosion — or, if the property is not insured against that risk, the notice must say so.
If a fire or explosion insurer later cancels that coverage, the owner has 24 hours from being notified of the cancellation to post a further notice, in the same manner, disclosing it. Subsection (b) offers an alternative to physical posting: the owner or managing agent may instead include the required information in a written rental or lease agreement, or send it by first class mail to each lessee or renter. Failing to give any notice this section requires is a petty offense, carrying a fine of up to $100 for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which landlords does Section 9-320's notice requirement apply to?
Owners of residential property with more than four living units who do not reside or maintain an office there, and who have no manager or agent who resides or maintains an office there.
What information must be posted under this section?
The name, address, and telephone number of the person managing the building, and the name, address, and telephone number of the fire and explosion insurer, or a statement that the property is uninsured against that risk.
How quickly must an owner post notice that fire insurance was cancelled?
Within 24 hours of being notified that the insurance covering the property against loss or damage by fire or explosion has been cancelled.
Can an owner satisfy this notice requirement without posting a physical notice?
Yes. Subsection (b) allows the owner or managing agent to include the required notice in a written rental or lease agreement, or to send it by first class mail to the lessee or renter instead of posting it.
What penalty applies for failing to give the required notice?
It is a petty offense, and the owner is subject to a fine of up to $100 for each day the violation continues.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:absentee landlord notice Illinois9-320 Illinoisbuilding manager contact posting requirementfire insurance cancellation notice landlordnonresident owner apartment building Illinois