Illinois Leasing Agent Practice Exam

If a tenant has an estate for years, what notice does the landlord need to give to obtain possession at the lease's expiration?

1. 30 days' notice

2. 14 days' notice

3. No notice

4. A 7-day notice

The correct answer is: No notice

When a tenant holds an estate for years, they have a lease for a fixed, predetermined period that does not automatically renew. Because the lease term is explicitly defined, the landlord is not required to provide any notice to the tenant for termination at the expiration of the lease. The lease inherently expires at the end of the specified term, meaning the tenant is expected to vacate the property without needing additional notification from the landlord. This differs from other types of tenancies, like month-to-month leases, where the landlord must give notice to ensure the tenant leaves at the end of the rental period. In the case of an estate for years, the agreement has defined start and end dates, and the termination follows these terms directly without further action from the landlord, making the need for notice unnecessary.