Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance - RLTO

       

        SEE CHICAGO RLTO CASES

 

        SEE EXAMPLES OF VIOLATIONS

               - RLTO 060 unlawful entries

                    - RLTO 080 security deposits

                    - RLTO 100 code violations

                    - RLTO 140 illegal agreements

 
 

Chicago Renters Rights Lawyer

 

       The security deposit interest section of The Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) has been interpreted by the Illinois Supreme Court to impose strict-liability upon violator landlords.  Other sections of the RLTO have also been interpreted by Illinois courts in decisions mostly favorable to renters.

 

    Chicago renters of town-homes, apartments, condos, and single-family homes may email attorney for a free initial review of their Chicago rental situation and rights.

 

 

 

SECTION

 

5-12-010
5-12-020
5-12-030
5-12-040
5-12-050
5-12-060
5-12-070
5-12-080
5-12-081
5-12-082
5-12-090
5-12-100
5-12-110
5-12-120
5-12-130
5-12-140
5-12-150
5-12-160
5-12-170
5-12-180
5-12-190
5-12-200

 

   RATES

 TITLE

 

Title, Purpose and scope
Exclusions
Definitions
Tenant Responsibilities
Landlord's Right of Access
Remedies for Improper Denial of Access
Landlord's Responsibility to Maintain
Security Deposits
Interest Rate on Security Deposits
Interest Rate Notification
Identification of Owner and Agents
Notice of Conditions Affecting Habitability
Tenant Remedies
Subleases
Landlord Remedies
Rental Agreement
Prohibition on Retaliatory Conduct by Landlord
Prohibition on Interruption of Tenant Occupancy by Landlord
Summary of Ordinance Attached to Rental Agreement
Attorney's Fees
Rights and Remedies Under Other Laws
Severability

 

Chicago's Security Deposit Interest Rates

5-12-040  Tenant Responsibilities

Every tenant must:

(a)     Comply with all obligations imposed specifically upon tenants by provisions of the municipal code applicable to dwelling units;

(b)     Keep that part of the premises that he occupies and uses as safe as the condition of the premises permits;

(c)     Dispose of all ashes, rubbish, garbage and other waste from his dwelling unit in a clean and safe manner;

(d)     Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;

(e)     Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, in the premises;

(f)     Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person on the premises with his consent to do so; and

(g)     Conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises.

   

     This section of the Chicago Municipal Code describes what tenants are required to do; and not do. 

     It is notable that tenants' responsibilities to maintain the property are qualified by, as much "as their condition permits."  This constitutes an acknowledgement by the City Council that many properties rented to Chicago tenants are not turned over in pristine condition.  Tenants are not expected to improve the condition of rental property they inhabit. 

     Nevertheless, after move-out, many landlords attempt to charge tenants for repairs that needed attention before the tenant moved in.  This is an abuse of RLTO 040 in this attorney's opinion.

     It goes without saying that damaging a landlord's property on purpose is unlawful.

 
 

 
 

 

Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance