DeKalb, IL Municipal Code Ch. 10 Landlord-Tenant Regulations § 10.12
End of Lease Inspection
Operative Text
Any Tenant who intends to vacate a rental unit may require an inspection with the Landlord, the results of which will be put in writing. The time of such inspection shall be mutually agreed upon by the Landlord and the Tenant. If either party fails to appear for the scheduled inspection without good cause, said party shall pay to the other party Fifty Dollars ($50.00) as an attendance fee. Said inspection is in addition to the requirements specified in Section 10.14, Security Deposit Return. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, illness, family emergency, another rental emergency, Tenant’s job requirements, and other similar situations.
Under DeKalb Municipal Code § 10.12, a tenant who plans to move out has the right to request a joint end-of-lease inspection with the landlord, and the findings must be documented in writing. Both parties must agree on a mutually convenient inspection time. If either the landlord or the tenant fails to show up for the scheduled inspection without a valid reason — such as illness, a family emergency, or a work obligation — that absent party owes the other $50 as an attendance fee. This inspection is separate from and in addition to the security deposit return process governed by § 10.14.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 10.12, property owners and managers should be prepared to schedule and attend a move-out inspection whenever a departing tenant requests one, and to document the results in writing. Compliant operators coordinate a mutually agreed-upon inspection time and ensure they appear as scheduled, since an unexcused absence triggers a $50 attendance fee payable to the tenant. Recognized excuses for missing the inspection include illness, family emergencies, other rental emergencies, and similar unforeseen circumstances, so operators generally keep records of any such situations that prevent attendance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 10.12 gives tenants who are planning to vacate the right to request a formal walk-through inspection with their landlord before moving out, with the results put in writing. If the landlord fails to appear for the agreed-upon inspection without good cause, the landlord owes the tenant $50 as an attendance fee. Tenants who believe this right has been violated may wish to review the written documentation from the inspection process, consult a local tenant-rights organization familiar with DeKalb's municipal code, or explore available complaint channels in the municipality.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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