Illinois Leasing Agent Practice Exam

Under what conditions can a tenant claim constructive eviction?

1. Noise disturbances

2. Uninhabitable living conditions

3. Refusal to perform maintenance

4. Rent increases

The correct answer is: Uninhabitable living conditions

A tenant can claim constructive eviction when the living conditions have become uninhabitable due to the landlord's failure to maintain the property adequately. This means that the conditions are so poor that a reasonable person would find the property unlivable. When a landlord does not fulfill their obligation to provide a safe and habitable environment, the tenant has the right to vacate the premises and may have grounds for a constructive eviction claim. This concept emphasizes the landlord's responsibility to uphold certain standards for their rental properties, which include providing essential services like heat, water, and structural integrity. If a tenant can demonstrate that their living conditions have deteriorated significantly because of the landlord's neglect, they can assert that they were effectively forced to leave due to the uninhabitable state of the property, thus meeting the criteria for constructive eviction.