Note: Even if you’re selling a home “as is” in Illinois, you’re still required to be truthful and transparent about what you know.

What’s included in the Illinois seller disclosure form?

Below is a section-by-section summary of the kinds of things you’ll be asked to disclose when selling a home in Illinois. Note that this is just an example and not a comprehensive list — your actual form may differ.

Occupancy and insurance
Whether the seller has lived in the property within the last 12 months
Whether the seller currently carries flood hazard insurance

Flooding, drainage, and foundation issues
Known flooding or recurring leakage in the basement or crawl space
Whether the property is located in a floodplain
Material defects in the basement or foundation (including cracks or bulges)

Roof, ceilings, and chimney
Leaks or material defects in the roof
Problems with ceilings or chimney structures

Interior structure and surfaces
Material defects in walls, windows, doors, or floors

Electrical system
Known material defects in the electrical system

Plumbing, water systems, and water quality
Material defects in the plumbing system (including water heater, sump pump, treatment systems, sprinkler systems, or swimming pool equipment)
Material defects in any well or well equipment
Unsafe conditions in drinking water

Heating, cooling, and ventilation
Material defects in the heating system

Methamphetamine production
Whether the property has been used

Download and print our Disclosure Litmus Test

Use this link to download a printable checklist (62KB) to prepare for completing the Illinois seller disclosure form. The questions on this Seller Disclosure Litmus Test reflect the types of details and issues you may need to reveal about your home — and what buyers expect to know.

Check off anything that applies to your Illinois property. If you’re unsure about something, make a note to ask your real estate agent or investigate further. The goal is to help you think through what needs to be documented and disclosed during the sale process.

What is not required to be disclosed? Illinois law does not require you to disclose if someone died in the home or other similar stigmas, such as neighborhood rumors, supposed paranormal activity, or personal reasons for selling, unless you are directly asked and your answer could be misleading.

Common mistakes sellers make on the disclosure form

Here are some of the most common missteps sellers make when filling out the Illinois RRPDR:

Checking “yes” without providing an explanation: If you check a yes box that includes an “Explain” line, not providing the details could stall your home sale.
Guessing instead of explaining: If you’re not sure about something, don’t make assumptions — just state that you don’t know or add an explanation.
Failing to attach supporting documents: Inspection reports, permits, repair invoices, and warranties help verify your disclosures.
Not disclosing repaired issues: Even if you’ve fixed a problem listed on the form, like a roof leak or plumbing issue, it still needs to be reported.
Minimizing or softening the truth: Downplaying a defect can open you up to legal risk if the buyer later discovers the issue was worse than described.

What if you fail to disclose something important?

If you fail to disclose a known material fact about your Illinois home, the buyer may have grounds to cancel the contract or sue you after the sale. In some cases, nondisclosure can be treated as fraud under Illinois law, especially if the omission appears intentional. Being upfront now helps prevent bigger headaches later.

When and how buyers review the disclosure

Under Illinois’s standard purchase contract, you’re expected to provide a completed Residential Real Property Disclosure Report (RRPDR) before the buyer signs the contract. The buyer then has a set review period, typically 5 days, to examine the form and decide whether to proceed, request repairs, or cancel the deal.

Partner with a top Illinois agent to protect your sale

Disclosing your home’s condition is one of the most important — and legally sensitive — parts of the selling process in Illinois. A top local agent can help you understand what’s required, avoid common pitfalls, and provide expert guidance so you can complete the RRPDR accurately and confidently.

Unsure where to start? HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform connects you with trusted real estate agents in your Illinois market. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your goals and selling timeline.

You’ll find more helpful guides in HomeLight’s Illinois Seller Resource Center.

See the top real estate agents in 10 Illinois markets:

If you’re buying and selling at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, which can streamline the entire process so you only move once. Watch this short video to see how it works.

Header Image Source: (Kelsey Todd/ Unsplash)