735 ILCS 5/15-1508.5

(735 ILCS 5/15-1508.5)

Sec. 15-1508.5. Notice by holder or purchaser to known occupants of dwelling units of mortgaged real estate.

(a) The holder of the certificate of sale or deed issued pursuant to that certificate or, if no certificate or deed was issued, the purchaser, shall:

(1) following the judicial sale under Section 15-1507, but no later than 21 days after the confirmation of sale under Section 15-1508, make a good faith effort to ascertain the identities and addresses of all occupants of dwelling units of the mortgaged real estate; and

(2) following the order confirming sale under Section 15-1508, but no later than 21 days after the order confirming sale, notify all known occupants of dwelling units of the mortgaged real estate that the holder or purchaser has acquired the mortgaged real estate. The notice shall be in writing and shall:

(i) identify the occupant being served by the name known to the holder or purchaser;

(ii) inform the occupant that the mortgaged real estate at which the dwelling unit is located is the subject of a foreclosure and that control of the mortgaged real estate has changed;

(iii) provide the name, address, and telephone number of an individual or entity whom the occupants may contact with concerns about the mortgaged real estate or to request repairs of that property;

(iv) include the following language, or language that is substantially similar: "This is NOT a notice to vacate the premises. You may wish to contact a lawyer or your local legal aid or housing counseling agency to discuss any rights that you may have.";

(v) include the name of the case, the case number, and the court where the order confirming the sale has been entered; and

(vi) provide instructions on the method of payment of future rent, if applicable.

(b) The written notice required by subsection (a) of this Section shall be served by delivering a copy thereof to the known occupant, or by leaving the same with some person of the age of 13 years or upwards who is residing on or in possession of the premises, or by sending a copy of the notice to the known occupant by first-class mail, addressed to the occupant by the name known to the holder or purchaser.

(c) In the event that the holder or purchaser ascertains the identity and address of an occupant of a dwelling unit of the mortgaged real estate more than 21 days after the confirmation of sale under Section 15-1508, the holder or purchaser shall provide the notice required by subparagraph (2) of subsection (a) within 7 days of ascertaining the identity and address of the occupant.

(d)(i) A holder or purchaser who fails to comply with subsections (a), (b), and (c) may not collect any rent due and owing from a known occupant, or terminate a known occupant's tenancy for non-payment of such rent, until the holder or purchaser has served the notice described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Section upon the known occupant. After providing such notice, the holder or purchaser may collect any and all rent otherwise due and owing the holder or purchaser from the known occupant and may terminate the known occupant's tenancy for non-payment of such rent if the holder or purchaser otherwise has such right to terminate.

(ii) An occupant who previously paid rent for the current rental period to the mortgagor, or other entity with the authority to operate, manage, and conserve the mortgaged real estate at the time of payment, shall not be held liable for that rent by the holder or purchaser, and the occupant's tenancy shall not be terminated for non-payment of rent for that rental period.

(e) Within 21 days of the confirmation of sale under Section 15-1508, the holder or purchaser shall post a written notice on the primary entrance of each dwelling unit subject to the foreclosure action. This notice shall:

(i) inform occupant that the dwelling unit is the subject of a foreclosure action and that control of the mortgaged real estate has changed;

(ii) include the following language: "This is NOT a notice to vacate the premises.";

(iii) provide the name, address, and telephone number of the individual or entity whom occupants may contact with concerns about the mortgaged real estate or to request repairs of the property; and

(iv) provide instructions on the method of payment of future rent, if applicable.

(f)(i) The provisions of subsection (d) of this Section shall be the exclusive remedy for the failure of a holder or purchaser to provide notice to a known occupant under this Section.

(ii) This Section shall not abrogate any right that a holder or purchaser may have to possession of the mortgaged real estate and to maintain a proceeding against an occupant of a dwelling unit for possession under Article IX of this Code or subsection (h) of Section 15-1701.

(iii) In the event that the holder or purchaser is a mortgagee in possession of the mortgaged real estate pursuant to Section 15-1703 at the time of the confirmation of sale and has complied with requirements of subsection (a-5) of Section 15-1703, the holder or purchaser is excused from the requirements of subsections (a) and (e) of this Section.

(iv) A holder or purchaser is not required to provide the notice required by this Section to a mortgagor or party against whom an order of possession has been entered authorizing the removal of the mortgagor or party pursuant to subsection (g) of Section 15-1508.

(Source: P.A. 98-514, eff. 11-19-13.)