What $700 rents you in Chicago right now
One-bedroom apartments at $700 per month exist in Chicago, but they are concentrated in specific neighborhoods and often require when ready action when they appear. The majority are located on the South Side and West Side — areas like Englewood, Washington Park, Bronzeville, and parts of Garfield Park — rather than downtown or near transit hubs. Many landlords in these areas do not advertise online; they rely on word-of-mouth, community bulletin boards, or direct contact.
Rent at this price point typically means older buildings, sometimes without recent updates. You may encounter units without air conditioning, with outdated plumbing or electrical systems, or in buildings where maintenance is inconsistent. Chicago's housing code sets minimum standards — habitability requirements, heat in winter, working plumbing — but enforcement depends on whether a tenant reports violations. Before signing, inspect the unit yourself and photograph any damage or missing features.
Competition for units under $700 is high. Landlords often ask for proof of income (usually three times the rent, so $2,100 per month), a security deposit equal to one month's rent, and a credit or background check. Some will negotiate on these terms if you can pay the first month and deposit upfront, or if you have a co-signer.
Key Takeaways
- One-bedroom apartments under $700 are most common on Chicago's South and West Sides, in neighborhoods like Englewood, Washington Park, and Garfield Park.
- Many landlords in these areas do not list online; check community boards, local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and ask neighbors directly.
- Landlords typically require proof of income at three times the rent, a security deposit, and a background check, though terms vary by building.
- Inspect any unit in person before signing and photograph existing damage so you are not charged for it when you move out.
- Chicago's housing code requires heat in winter, working plumbing, and basic habitability; report violations to the city's 311 line if a landlord does not fix them.
Where to search for listings under $700
Craigslist remains the largest source for below-market rentals in Chicago, though you must filter carefully and watch for scams. Search by neighborhood and price, and contact landlords directly rather than responding to emails that ask for payment before viewing. Legitimate landlords will show you the unit and take payment only after you sign a lease.
Facebook groups dedicated to Chicago neighborhoods often have rental posts from people moving out or landlords seeking tenants. Groups like "Chicago Apartments for Rent" and neighborhood-specific pages ("Englewood Housing" or "Washington Park Community") move quickly — units posted in the morning may be rented by evening. Join multiple groups and turn on notifications so you see new posts when ready.
Walk or drive through neighborhoods where you want to live and look for "For Rent" signs on buildings. Call the number on the sign or ask neighbors who the landlord is. This method takes time but often surfaces units that are not advertised online, and you build a relationship with the landlord before explore.
Contact the Chicago Housing Authority's public housing office or local community development corporations. Some manage affordable units or maintain lists of landlords who rent below market rate. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity Chicago and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization also track affordable options and can point you toward specific buildings or programs.
Understanding lease terms and what to negotiate
A standard Chicago lease runs 12 months and includes the monthly rent, security deposit amount, what utilities the tenant pays, and the landlord's repair obligations. Read the entire lease before signing. If it says the landlord is not responsible for repairs, that contradicts Chicago law — the landlord must maintain the unit in habitable condition regardless of what the lease says.
Negotiate the security deposit if you can. Some landlords will accept half a month's deposit instead of a full month if you pay the first month's rent upfront. Ask whether the deposit earns interest (Chicago requires it to, though the rate is low) and whether the landlord will return it within 30 days of move-out, as the law requires.
Clarify which utilities you pay. At $700 rent, the landlord may cover water and sewer but charge you for gas and electricity, or vice versa. Ask for the average monthly utility cost from the previous tenant so you know what to budget. If utilities are not specified in the lease, the landlord must pay them under Chicago law.
Request a written move-in inspection. Walk through the unit with the landlord or their representative, photograph or video-record existing damage, and both sign a document listing what was already broken or stained. This protects you from being charged for damage you did not cause when you move out.
Income requirements and what to bring to an process
Most landlords require your gross monthly income to be at least three times the monthly rent. At $700, that means you need to show income of $2,100 per month. If you earn less, you may still rent if you have a co-signer (someone who guarantees the rent if you cannot pay) or if you can pay several months' rent upfront.
Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last two or three months), a letter from your employer confirming your job and salary, or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you receive benefits — unemployment, disability, SNAP — bring documentation showing the monthly amount. Some landlords will count benefits as income; others will not. Ask before you explore.
Prepare a copy of your ID, Social Security number, and permission for a background check. Chicago landlords can run a credit report and criminal background check, but they cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or sexual orientation. If you have a criminal record, the landlord must consider how long ago the offense was and whether it relates to property or violence; a single old misdemeanor usually does not disqualify you.
If you have been evicted before, be honest about it. Some landlords will rent to you anyway, especially if the eviction was years ago or if you can explain the circumstances. Hiding it and having it show up on a background check will disqualify you when ready.
Tenant protections and your rights in Chicago
Chicago and Illinois have strong tenant protections that explore to every lease, regardless of what the lease says. Your landlord must provide habitable housing — that means heat in winter (at least 68 degrees between October and May), working plumbing and hot water, no major structural damage, and no pest infestations. If the unit lacks these things, you can report it to the city or, in some cases, withhold rent until it is fixed.
Your landlord cannot raise your rent or retaliate against you for reporting code violations, requesting repairs, or organizing with other tenants. If your landlord tries to evict you within six months of a repair request or code complaint, Illinois presumes it is retaliation and the eviction is illegal. Document everything in writing — send repair requests by email or certified mail so you have proof.
Eviction in Illinois requires a court order. Your landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities. If your landlord files for eviction, you have the right to appear in court and defend yourself. The Cook County courts have legal aid organizations that provide free representation to tenants who cannot afford a lawyer.
When you move out, your landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit with an itemized list of any deductions. If they do not return it or the deductions are unreasonable, you can sue in small claims court for the deposit plus damages. Keep photos of the unit's condition when you move in and move out to prove what damage was pre-existing.
Avoiding scams and red flags
Never send money before viewing the unit in person. Scammers post photos of real apartments, collect deposits from multiple people, and disappear. If a landlord asks for payment via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, it is a scam. Legitimate landlords accept checks, money orders, or bank transfers after you sign a lease.
Be cautious of listings that are priced far below market rate with no explanation. If a one-bedroom in a neighborhood typically rents for $900 and you see one for $500, ask why. Sometimes it is because the unit has serious problems; sometimes it is because the listing is fake.
Verify the landlord's ownership. Ask for their name and phone number, then call the building's property tax assessor record (available through the Cook County Assessor's website) to confirm they own it. If the person showing you the unit cannot provide their name or says they are "just helping a friend," do not proceed.
Trust your instincts about the neighborhood and the building. Visit at different times of day. Talk to current tenants if you can. If the building looks abandoned, has broken windows, or the landlord seems evasive about repairs, keep looking.
Resources for finding and understanding Chicago rentals
The Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) provides free tenant rights information, including a guide to Chicago's landlord-tenant law and help understanding your lease. They also run a hotline where you can ask questions about specific situations.
The Chicago Department of Housing runs the Residential Tenants' Rights Ordinance page, which explains your rights in plain language and lists how to report code violations or retaliation.
Legal Aid Chicago offers free legal help to low-income renters, including representation in eviction court and information on lease disputes. You can call them to ask whether you meet their income requirements.
The city's 311 line (or 311.chicago.gov online) is where you report housing code violations — no heat, broken plumbing, pest infestations, or structural damage. The city will send an inspector and can order the landlord to fix it. You can report anonymously if you are worried about retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I negotiate the rent down from the asking price?
Yes, especially if you can pay several months upfront or if the unit has been vacant for a while. Landlords sometimes prefer a slightly lower rent to a tenant who pays reliably over an empty unit. Ask directly: "Is there flexibility on price if I sign a longer lease or pay upfront?" The worst they can say is no.
What if the apartment has problems when I move in?
Document everything with photos or video before you move your belongings in. Send the landlord a written list of what needs repair (email works, or certified mail). Under Chicago law, the landlord must fix habitability issues within a reasonable time — usually 14 days for urgent problems like no heat. If they do not, you can contact 311 or withhold rent until it is fixed.
Do I need a co-signer if my income is below three times the rent?
Not necessarily. Some landlords will rent to you if you pay a larger security deposit, pay several months upfront, or if you have a stable job even if the income is slightly below the threshold. Ask the landlord what options exist before you assume you need a co-signer. A co-signer is legally responsible for the rent if you cannot pay, so choose carefully.
What happens if I cannot pay rent one month?
Contact your landlord when ready and explain the situation. Many will work with you on a payment plan rather than file for eviction, especially if you have been a reliable tenant. Do not ignore the problem — the longer you wait, the more likely the landlord is to file in court. If you are facing hardship, ask about emergency rental information through the city or county.
Can my landlord evict me without going to court?
No. In Illinois, eviction requires a court order. Your landlord must file a case, you have the right to appear and defend yourself, and a judge must rule in their favor. If your landlord tries to lock you out or remove your belongings without a court order, that is illegal. Contact the police or a lawyer when ready if this happens.