Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

You need to be honest regarding your intentions. Lying about, or failing to disclose, that you will be running a business from his property could most certainly be considered a reason to evict you. And the landlord will find out sooner or later. You also need to ensure that the property is properly zoned, and you will need to be licensed by the state, and possibly the county or municipality.

You should absolutely inform the landlord of your intentions. Most residential leases are entered into for residential purposes only. If you open a day care center or other business in the house without the landlord's prior written consent, the landlord may have grounds to evict you.

Additionally, many neighborhoods have covenants or rules explicitly stating you are not allowed to run a business out of the house. If you start running a daycare out of the home, your neighbors may report it.