This Guide covers selected issues as to obligations of Chicago residential landlords regarding the condition of the apartments they rent, under Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.
1
What Chicago residential properties are covered by Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance?
All residential tenancies are covered by provisions of the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance ("RLTO"), except for the following:
apartments in owner-occupied buildings containing six (6) units or less,
housing in facilities such as hospitals, convents, extended care facilities or school dormitories,
a dwelling unit occupied by a purchaser prior to transfer of title pursuant to a real estate purchase contract or by a seller after transfer of title,
an apartment occupied by an employee of a landlord whose right to occupancy is conditioned upon employment in or around the premises or
an apartment in a cooperative building occupied by a holder of a proprietary lease.
2
What if a landlord signs a rental agreement and can't get the apartment ready for the tenant when agreed?
If the apartment is not ready for the tenant when the Chicago property owner agreed, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, or the tenant can file a legal action against the owner for possession and recover any damages the tenant may have sustained. If the failure to deliver possession to the tenant is willful, the tenant may recover up to the greater of two months' rent or twice the damages sustained by the tenant.
3
What can the tenant do if there are problems with the conditions in the apartment or with the common areas of the building?
Chicago tenants have several remedies for serious condition issues. First, if the problems are so serious as to render the apartment not reasonably fit and habitable, the tenant may terminate the tenancy by giving the landlord a notice which specifies the conditions and gives the landlord not fewer than 14 days to remedy the conditions. If the problems are less serious and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than the greater of $500.00 or one half of one month's rent, the tenant may after notice and opportunity for the landlord to perform the work, either have the work performed and deduct the cost from the rent or recover damages for the noncompliance.
4
A Chicago building is landlord heated. What temperatures must the landlord maintain?
Chicago landlords are required to provide heat to the following levels between September 15th and June 1st:
68 degrees, between 8:30 AM and 10:30 PM
66 degrees between 10:30 PM and 8:30 AM.
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