What is required for a lease to be enforceable in Illinois?

For a lease to be enforceable in Illinois, it is indeed necessary for the lease to be in writing if it is for a term longer than one year. This requirement aligns with the Statute of Frauds, which stipulates that certain contracts, including leases lasting longer than one year, must be documented in writing to be legally enforceable. By having the lease in writing, both parties can clearly understand the terms and obligations involved in the agreement, reducing the potential for disputes in the future.

While a lease of one year or less can be verbal and still enforceable, longer-term leases necessitate written agreements to protect the parties' rights. Notarization and filing with the state are not mandatory for a lease to be enforceable, which is why those options do not align with the requirements set out by Illinois law. Thus, recognizing the importance of written documentation for longer-term leases is crucial in understanding how such agreements are treated in the legal context.