Leasing Process, Marketing, and Advertising Rules
The leasing workflow
A sound leasing process starts with written authority: a representation or management agreement with the owner before the unit is marketed, current and accurate unit information, consistent written screening criteria, a completed application with signed authorization for credit and background checks, and a lease whose terms match what was advertised. Present every offer promptly to the landlord. When an application is denied based on a consumer report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires an adverse action notice.
Advertising rules
Under the Act and IDFPR rules, advertising must be truthful and must include the licensed name of the sponsoring broker. A leasing agent advertises only under the broker's name and supervision - a social media post, flyer, sign, or listing without the brokerage's licensed name is a violation. Advertising a property requires the owner's permission, and bait-and-switch advertising (advertising a unit or rent that is not actually available) is prohibited. Quote rent accurately and disclose mandatory fees such as application, administrative, or pet fees rather than springing them at signing. All advertising must comply with fair housing law, include the Equal Housing Opportunity symbol where customary, and never describe a preferred tenant type.
Worked example
An agent posts an Instagram photo captioned '2BR, $1,600, no pets, DM me.' Problems: no brokerage name, no fair housing statement, and 'no pets' may need the assistance-animal carve-out explained. The fix is to add the licensed brokerage name and an equal housing statement, and to screen for pet policies without excluding accommodation requests.
Traps
Forgetting the broker's name in online ads, marketing a unit without the owner's written authority, and quoting a rent that omits mandatory fees.