Cal. Civ. Code § 9-215
Remedies available to grantee. The grantees of any leased lands, tenements, rents or other hereditaments, or of the reversion thereof, the assignees of the lessor of any lease, and the heirs, legatees and personal representatives of the lessor, grantee or assignee, shall have the same remedies by action or otherwise, for the non-performance of any agreement in the lease, or for the recovery of any rent, or for the doing of any waste or other cause of forfeiture, as their grantor or lessor might have had if such reversion had remained in such lessor or grantor
Operative Text
Remedies available to grantee. The grantees of any leased lands, tenements, rents or other hereditaments, or of the reversion thereof, the assignees of the lessor of any lease, and the heirs, legatees and personal representatives of the lessor, grantee or assignee, shall have the same remedies by action or otherwise, for the non-performance of any agreement in the lease, or for the recovery of any rent, or for the doing of any waste or other cause of forfeiture, as their grantor or lessor might have had if such reversion had remained in such lessor or grantor.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-215, when a landlord transfers leased property—whether by sale, inheritance, or assignment—the new owner or successor steps into the original landlord's legal shoes. This means that whoever receives the property or the right to collect rent inherits the full set of legal remedies that the original landlord held, including the ability to pursue claims for unpaid rent, lease violations, waste, or forfeiture. The rule ensures that a change in ownership does not extinguish the enforcement rights that were attached to the lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Illinois who acquire leased property through purchase, assignment, or inheritance should be aware that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-215 preserves all lease-enforcement remedies in their favor. A compliant operator typically documents the transfer of ownership clearly, notifies tenants of the change in landlord, and maintains records of any pre-existing lease agreements and any prior breaches. This continuity of remedies means that existing lease terms—including provisions for rent recovery and forfeiture—remain fully enforceable by the new owner or their legal representatives.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-215, tenants should understand that when a property changes hands, the new owner or their assignees inherit the same legal rights against tenants that the original landlord possessed. This means a new landlord can pursue claims for unpaid rent or lease violations that arose even before the transfer, so tenants cannot assume that a change in ownership resets or eliminates prior obligations. Tenants who have questions about how a property transfer affects their lease rights may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or reviewing resources provided by Illinois legal aid services.
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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