Cal. Civ. Code § 9-314
Distress for products and labor. When the rent is payable wholly or in part in specific articles of property or products of the premises, or labor, the landlord may distrain for the value of such articles, products or labor
Operative Text
Distress for products and labor. When the rent is payable wholly or in part in specific articles of property or products of the premises, or labor, the landlord may distrain for the value of such articles, products or labor.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-314, Illinois law recognizes that rent agreements are not always structured as cash payments — they may instead require a tenant to provide specific goods, products grown or produced on the property, or labor as all or part of the rent. When such non-cash rent goes unpaid or undelivered, this provision allows the landlord to pursue a legal remedy known as 'distress,' seeking the monetary value of whatever articles, products, or labor was owed. In effect, the rule converts a non-cash rental obligation into a quantifiable claim that can be enforced through the distress process.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords operating under non-cash or hybrid rent arrangements in Illinois should be aware that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-314 provides a specific legal mechanism — distress — to recover the value of unpaid goods, produce, or labor that constitutes rent. Compliant operators typically document the agreed-upon items or labor and their established value in the lease to support any future enforcement action. Maintaining clear records of what was owed, what was delivered, and any shortfalls is a standard practice when rent is structured in non-monetary terms.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants whose lease agreements require payment of rent through goods, property products, or labor should understand that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-314 gives landlords a legal avenue to pursue the monetary value of any such obligations that go unfulfilled. If a landlord initiates a distress action under this provision, tenants generally have the right to contest the claimed value or the existence of the underlying obligation. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help tenants understand what procedural options may be available in response to a distress proceeding.
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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