Cal. Civ. Code § 9-214
Lease defined. The term "lease," as used in Part 2 of Article IX of this Act, includes every letting, whether by verbal or written agreement
Operative Text
Lease defined. The term "lease," as used in Part 2 of Article IX of this Act, includes every letting, whether by verbal or written agreement.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-214, the word 'lease' is defined broadly for purposes of Part 2 of Article IX of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. The definition covers every rental arrangement, regardless of whether it was made verbally or put into writing. This means that oral rental agreements carry the same legal weight as written leases within the scope of these provisions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Illinois should be aware that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-214 brings verbal rental agreements under the same legal framework as written leases for purposes of Part 2 of Article IX. Compliant operators typically document the terms of any letting arrangement—whether oral or written—to ensure clarity about obligations and rights. Maintaining records of agreed-upon terms, even for informal arrangements, is a practice commonly associated with sound property management under this broad definition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Illinois benefit from knowing that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-214 defines 'lease' to include verbal agreements, meaning a handshake or spoken rental deal can carry legal significance under Part 2 of Article IX. If a landlord attempts to deny the existence or terms of an oral agreement, this provision may be relevant to any dispute that arises. Tenants who believe their rights under a verbal arrangement are being disregarded may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand available options.
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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