Illinois Residential Leasing Agent License
Exam 2026–2027 | Verified Questions &
Correct Answers with Detailed Explanations
| Complete Leasing Certification Prep Guide
PDF
• This prep guide contains 200 verified multiple-choice questions covering all core
topics tested on the Illinois Residential Leasing Agent License Exam 2026–2027,
complete with correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your
understanding.
• To get the most out of this material, attempt each question independently before
checking the correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
significantly improves retention and exam readiness.
1. Under the Illinois Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA), which city is
it primarily applicable to?
A. Springfield
B. Rockford
C. Chicago
D. Peoria
E. Naperville
Correct Answer: C. Chicago
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Illinois Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) applies
specifically to the City of Chicago. Other municipalities may have their own ordinances,
but the RLTA is Chicago's primary tenant protection law.
2. A leasing agent in Illinois is required to be licensed under which act?
A. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 1983
B. Illinois Residential Leasing Agent Act of 2010
,C. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000
D. Illinois Landlord Leasing Authorization Act
E. Illinois Consumer Protection Leasing Act
Correct Answer: C. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 governs the licensing of
real estate professionals, including residential leasing agents, in the state of Illinois.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a residential leasing agent
license in Illinois?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 19 years old
Correct Answer: C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that an applicant for a residential leasing
agent license be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
4. How many hours of pre-license education are required for a residential
leasing agent in Illinois?
A. 15 hours
B. 45 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 75 hours
E. 30 hours
, Correct Answer: A. 15 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois requires residential leasing agent applicants to complete 15
hours of approved pre-license education before sitting for the licensing exam.
5. Under the Chicago RLTA, what is the maximum security deposit a landlord
may charge for an unfurnished unit?
A. One month's rent
B. Two months' rent
C. Three months' rent
D. No statutory limit
E. One and a half months' rent
Correct Answer: D. No statutory limit
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Chicago RLTA does not cap the amount a landlord may charge
as a security deposit. However, the landlord must comply with strict rules regarding
holding and returning the deposit.
6. Within how many days must a Chicago landlord return a security deposit
after a tenant vacates?
A. 14 days
B. 21 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
E. 60 days
Correct Answer: C. 30 days
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Chicago RLTA, if no deductions are made, the landlord
must return the security deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit.
, 7. If a Chicago landlord makes deductions from a security deposit, within how
many days must an itemized statement be provided?
A. 14 days
B. 21 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
E. 60 days
Correct Answer: C. 30 days
EXPERT RATIONALE: If deductions are made, the Chicago RLTA requires the landlord to
provide an itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining deposit balance
within 30 days.
8. A leasing agent represents which party in a residential rental transaction?
A. The tenant exclusively
B. The government housing authority
C. The landlord or property owner
D. Both parties equally by default
E. The mortgage lender
Correct Answer: C. The landlord or property owner
EXPERT RATIONALE: A residential leasing agent typically acts as the agent of the
landlord or property owner, marketing units and screening tenants on their behalf.
9. Under Illinois law, a leasing agent license must be renewed every how
many years?
Exam 2026–2027 | Verified Questions &
Correct Answers with Detailed Explanations
| Complete Leasing Certification Prep Guide
• This prep guide contains 200 verified multiple-choice questions covering all core
topics tested on the Illinois Residential Leasing Agent License Exam 2026–2027,
complete with correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your
understanding.
• To get the most out of this material, attempt each question independently before
checking the correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
significantly improves retention and exam readiness.
1. Under the Illinois Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA), which city is
it primarily applicable to?
A. Springfield
B. Rockford
C. Chicago
D. Peoria
E. Naperville
Correct Answer: C. Chicago
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Illinois Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) applies
specifically to the City of Chicago. Other municipalities may have their own ordinances,
but the RLTA is Chicago's primary tenant protection law.
2. A leasing agent in Illinois is required to be licensed under which act?
A. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 1983
B. Illinois Residential Leasing Agent Act of 2010
,C. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000
D. Illinois Landlord Leasing Authorization Act
E. Illinois Consumer Protection Leasing Act
Correct Answer: C. Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 governs the licensing of
real estate professionals, including residential leasing agents, in the state of Illinois.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a residential leasing agent
license in Illinois?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 19 years old
Correct Answer: C. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois law requires that an applicant for a residential leasing
agent license be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
4. How many hours of pre-license education are required for a residential
leasing agent in Illinois?
A. 15 hours
B. 45 hours
C. 60 hours
D. 75 hours
E. 30 hours
, Correct Answer: A. 15 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Illinois requires residential leasing agent applicants to complete 15
hours of approved pre-license education before sitting for the licensing exam.
5. Under the Chicago RLTA, what is the maximum security deposit a landlord
may charge for an unfurnished unit?
A. One month's rent
B. Two months' rent
C. Three months' rent
D. No statutory limit
E. One and a half months' rent
Correct Answer: D. No statutory limit
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Chicago RLTA does not cap the amount a landlord may charge
as a security deposit. However, the landlord must comply with strict rules regarding
holding and returning the deposit.
6. Within how many days must a Chicago landlord return a security deposit
after a tenant vacates?
A. 14 days
B. 21 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
E. 60 days
Correct Answer: C. 30 days
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Chicago RLTA, if no deductions are made, the landlord
must return the security deposit within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit.
, 7. If a Chicago landlord makes deductions from a security deposit, within how
many days must an itemized statement be provided?
A. 14 days
B. 21 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
E. 60 days
Correct Answer: C. 30 days
EXPERT RATIONALE: If deductions are made, the Chicago RLTA requires the landlord to
provide an itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining deposit balance
within 30 days.
8. A leasing agent represents which party in a residential rental transaction?
A. The tenant exclusively
B. The government housing authority
C. The landlord or property owner
D. Both parties equally by default
E. The mortgage lender
Correct Answer: C. The landlord or property owner
EXPERT RATIONALE: A residential leasing agent typically acts as the agent of the
landlord or property owner, marketing units and screening tenants on their behalf.
9. Under Illinois law, a leasing agent license must be renewed every how
many years?
