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

5-12-081  Interest Rate on Security Deposits

During June of 1997 and thereafter during December of each year, the city comptroller shall review the status of banks within the city and interest rates on passbook savings accounts, insured money market accounts and six-month certificates of deposit at commercial banks located within the city. On the first business day of July of 1997, and thereafter on the first business day of each year, the city comptroller shall announce the rates of interest, as of the last business day of the prior month, on passbook savings accounts, insured money market accounts and six-month certificates of deposit at the commercial bank having its main branch located in the city and having the largest total asset value. The rates for money market account shall be based on the minimum deposits for such investments. The rates for certificates of deposit shall be based on a deposit of $1,000.00. The comptroller shall calculate and announce the average of the three rates. The average of these rates so announced by the city comptroller shall be the rate of interest on security deposits under rental agreements governed by this chapter and made or renewed after the most recent announcement.

 

 

At what rate must the interest be paid on Chicago security deposits?

Landlords have to pay interest on the deposit at a rate based on when the lease or lease renewal was entered into.  It is not based on when the the deposit is held, or when interest is paid.

For example:

Tenant moves in and signs a lease on November 1, 2006.  The lease ends October 31, 2007, and the tenant moves out.  At what rate is the interest due?  

The answer is, at the rate announced by the comptroller on the first business day of 2006.  Why?  Because that was the most recently announced rate when the tenant entered into the lease back in November, 2006.  It does not matter that, just one month after the lease was signed, the comptroller announced a new rate for 2007.

   
 

 
 

Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance