Cal. Civ. Code § 9-201
Recovery of rent. The owner of lands, his or her executors or administrators, may sue for and recover rent therefor, or a fair and reasonable satisfaction for the use and occupation thereof, by a civil action in any of the following instances: 1. When rent is due and in arrears on a lease for life or lives. 2. When lands are held and occupied by any person without any special agreement for rent. 3. When possession is obtained under an agreement, written or verbal, for the purchase of the premises, and before a deed is given the right to possession is terminated by forfeiture or non-compliance with the agreement, and possession is wrongfully refused or neglected to be given upon demand, made in writing, by the party entitled thereto. All payments made by the vendee, or his or her representatives or assigns, may be set off against such rent. 4. When land has been sold upon a judgment of court, when the party to such judgment or person holding under him or her, wrongfully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand, in writing, by the person entitled to the possession. 5. When the lands have been sold upon a mortgage or trust deed, and the mortgagor or grantor, or person holding under him or her, wrongfully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand, in writing, by the person entitled to the possession
Operative Text
Recovery of rent. The owner of lands, his or her executors or administrators, may sue for and recover rent therefor, or a fair and reasonable satisfaction for the use and occupation thereof, by a civil action in any of the following instances: 1. When rent is due and in arrears on a lease for life or lives. 2. When lands are held and occupied by any person without any special agreement for rent. 3. When possession is obtained under an agreement, written or verbal, for the purchase of the premises, and before a deed is given the right to possession is terminated by forfeiture or non-compliance with the agreement, and possession is wrongfully refused or neglected to be given upon demand, made in writing, by the party entitled thereto. All payments made by the vendee, or his or her representatives or assigns, may be set off against such rent. 4. When land has been sold upon a judgment of court, when the party to such judgment or person holding under him or her, wrongfully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand, in writing, by the person entitled to the possession. 5. When the lands have been sold upon a mortgage or trust deed, and the mortgagor or grantor, or person holding under him or her, wrongfully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand, in writing, by the person entitled to the possession.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-201, a landowner (or their estate representatives) may bring a civil action to recover unpaid rent or fair compensation for use and occupation of property in five specific situations: when rent is overdue on a life lease, when someone occupies land without a rental agreement, when a land-purchase agreement falls through and the occupant refuses to leave, and when land sold through a court judgment or mortgage foreclosure is not vacated after a written demand.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-201, property owners and their representatives have a civil remedy to recover rent or reasonable compensation for use and occupation across several scenarios, including holdovers after failed purchase agreements or post-foreclosure situations. Operators generally document occupancy, maintain records of any agreements, and issue written demands for possession before pursuing a civil action. Keeping clear written records of all transactions and demands supports a claim under this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-201 outlines when a landowner may sue for rent or use-and-occupation compensation, which can affect occupants in situations ranging from life leases to failed purchase contracts. Tenants or occupants facing such a claim may have defenses available, such as offsetting prior payments made under a purchase agreement against any rent sought. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Illinois landlord-tenant law can help occupants understand their options if a civil action is filed against them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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