The Evanston Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (ERLTO) predates the Chicago RLTO.  The Evanston RLTO does share some features of the Chicago RLTO, and also contains the state's only 21-day security deposit return and accounting rule.  This is the timeline Wisconsin residents are used to.  The ERLTO also requires landlords to account in writing even for rent they are withholding from the security deposit of a tenant.  This is not required statewide. 

    Evanston renters of a duplex, townhouse, apartment, condo, or single  family home may email attorney Silverman for a free initial review of their Evanston landlord - tenant situation and rights.

SECTION

5-3-1

5-3-2
5-3-3-1

5-3-3-2

5-3-3-3

5-3-4-1

5-3-4-2

5-3-4-3

5-3-4-4

5-3-5-1

5-3-5-2

5-3-5-3

5-3-5-4

5-3-5-5

5-3-6-1

5-3-6-3

5-3-6-4

5-3-6-5

5-3-6-6

5-3-7-1

5-3-7-2

5-3-7-3

5-3-7-4

5-3-7-5

5-3-7-6

5-3-8-1

5-3-8-2

5-3-8-3

5-3-9-1

5-3-9-2

5-3-10

5-3-11

5-3-12-1

5-3-12-2

5-3-12-3

5-3-12-4

5-3-12-5

   RATES

        TITLE

Title, Purpose and scope

General Definitions; Principals of Interpretation

Rental Agreement: Terms and Conditions of Rental Agreement

Effect of Unsigned or Undelivered Rental Agreement

Prohibited Provisions in Rental Agreements

Tenant Obligations:  Maintain Dwelling Unit

Rules and Regulations

Access

Tenant's Use and Occupancy of Dwelling Unit

Landlord Obligations:  Security Deposits and Prepaid Rent

Disclosure

Maintain Fit Premises

Limitation of Liability
Lead Disclosure Requirements

Landlord Remedies:  Noncompliance with Rental Agreement

Abandonment; Subleases

Waiver of Landlord's Right to Terminate

Remedy After Termination

Disposition of Abandoned Property

Tenant Remedies: Noncompliance by Landlord

Failure to Deliver Possession

Self Help For Minor Defects and Rent Withholdings

Wrongful Failure to Supply Essential Services

Landlord's Noncompliance as Defense to Action for Rent

Fire or Casualty Damage

Holdover; Abuse of Access:  Holdover Remedies

Landlord and Tenant Remedies for Abuse of Access

Notice of Refusal to Renew Rental Agreement

Retaliatory Conduct

Civil Actions by City

Attachment of Chapter to Rental Agreement

Condominium Conversions

Interruption of Tenant Occupancy: Unlawful Interruption

Exclusions

Fines

Civil Remedy

Tenant's Right to Terminate

Evanston's Security Deposit Interest Rates (same as Chicago)

5-3-7-3: SELF-HELP FOR MINOR DEFECTS AND RENT WITHHOLDINGS:

(A) With respect to any single violation, the tenant may choose either the remedy in subsection (A)1 or (A)2 of this section.

1. If the landlord fails to comply with the rental agreement or with subsection 5-3-5-3(A) of this chapter, and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) or an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of the monthly rent, whichever amount is greater, the tenant may recover damages for the breach under subsection 5-3-7-1(B) of this chapter or may notify the landlord in writing of his intention to correct the condition at the landlord's expense. If the landlord fails to comply within fourteen (14) days after being notified by the tenant in writing or as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency, the tenant may have the work done in a workmanlike manner and, after submitting to the landlord a receipted bill from an appropriate tradesman, deduct from his rent the amount thereof, not exceeding the limits specified in this subsection; provided, that the tenant has fulfilled his affirmative obligations under section 5-3-4-1 of this chapter.

2. If the landlord fails to comply with the rental agreement or with subsection 5-3-5-3(A) of this chapter, the tenant may, where the condition has been cited as a code violation by the city, notify the landlord in writing of the tenant's intention to withhold from the monthly rent an amount which reasonably reflects the reduced value of the premises. If the landlord fails to correct the condition within fourteen (14) days after being notified by the tenant in writing, the tenant may, during the time such failure continues, deduct from the rent the stated amount.

(B) A tenant may not repair at the landlord's expense or withhold rent under this section if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of his family or other person on the premises with his consent.

(C) Before correcting a condition affecting facilities shared by more than one dwelling unit, the tenant shall notify all other tenants sharing such facilities of his plans, and shall so arrange the work as to create the least practicable inconvenience to the other tenants. (Ord. 19-0-75)