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

5-12-060  Remedies for Improper Denial of Access

If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access or terminate the rental agreement pursuant to Section 5-12-130(b) of this chapter. In either case, the landlord may recover damages.

If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated unreasonable demands for entry otherwise lawful, but which have the effect of harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct, or terminate the rental agreement pursuant to the notice provisions of Section 5-12-110(a). In each case, the tenant may recover an amount equal to not more than one month's rent or twice the damage sustained by him, whichever is greater.

 
   

     This section of the RLTO awards tenants damages in the more common situation where their landlord makes an unlawful entry.  What's a lawful entry?  See RLTO 050, which outlines in more detail exactly what makes an entry lawful or unlawful.  In general, advance notice of two-days is required by a landlord who wants to enter the rented unit for non-emergency purposes.

     But this section cuts both ways.  Tenants who refuse lawful access to their landlords can be hit with damages equal to one-month's rent, plus probably their landlords court costs and attorney fees.  Tenants beware!

 
 

 
 

Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance