Urbana — Ch. 12.5 Landlord-Tenant Relationships § 12.5-16
Remedies for abuse of access rights
Operative Text
(a) If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the landlord may recover damages and reasonable attorney's fees. (b) If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct and recover an amount equal to not more than two (2) months' rent or the damages sustained, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees. (c) If the landlord makes a lawful entry to make alterations or improvements that materially interfere with the tenant's use of the premises or if the landlord makes repeated demands for entry otherwise lawful, but which have the effect of harassing the tenant after being notified in writing by the tenant that tenant feels harassed by such repeated demands, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct, or terminate the rental agreement. In each case, the tenant may recover an amount equal to not more than two (2) months' rent or the damages sustained, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees. The provisions of this section shall not apply to alterations or improvements done by the landlord to correct cited housing code violations, except in the cases of the landlord's unreasonableness, neglect, or negligence in correcting the violations.
Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-16 establishes a two-way framework of remedies when access rights are abused. If a tenant wrongfully blocks a landlord's lawful entry, the landlord may seek a court order compelling access or may end the tenancy, and can recover damages plus attorney's fees. Conversely, if a landlord enters unlawfully, enters in an unreasonable manner, conducts alterations that materially disrupt the tenant's use, or repeatedly demands entry in a way that amounts to harassment, the tenant may seek a court order stopping the conduct or terminate the lease, and can recover up to two months' rent or actual damages—whichever is greater—along with attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-16, compliant property operators generally ensure that every entry is both legally authorized and carried out in a reasonable manner—providing proper notice, scheduling at suitable times, and minimizing disruption to the tenant's use of the premises. When alterations or improvements are necessary, operators typically plan and execute the work in a way that does not materially interfere with the tenant's occupancy, and they take written notice of a tenant's harassment concerns seriously by scaling back or restructuring entry demands. Landlords who receive a written complaint from a tenant about repeated entry requests should document their response and adjust their practices, since § 12.5-16 exposes them to injunctive relief, damages up to two months' rent or actual damages (whichever is greater), and attorney's fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-16 gives tenants concrete remedies when a landlord enters without legal authority, enters in an unreasonable manner, conducts disruptive alterations, or persists in demanding entry after receiving written notice that the tenant feels harassed. Tenants in these situations may be entitled to a court injunction stopping the conduct, termination of the rental agreement, recovery of up to two months' rent or actual damages (whichever is greater), and reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants who believe § 12.5-16 has been violated can document incidents in writing, send written notice to the landlord where the provision requires it, and explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with a housing attorney to understand available enforcement paths.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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