Rents might be on the rise in Chicago, but tenant protections are here to stay. The city's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, fancy for "tenant bill of rights," is armed to the teeth with protections to keep abusive landlords in check, and Chicago renters comfortably housed.
In this city, those that have the knowledge (and access to the legal system) have the power.
Landlords need a pretty good reason to enter your apartment
You only have to provide your landlord "reasonable access" to your apartment, which is usually restricted either to repairs or emergencies. In the case of repairs, they ordinarily need to give 48 hours notice before stepping foot inside. This can also be a general notice given to everyone in your building, but your landlord can't just "drop by" and demand to come inside to see what's going on. If an unexpected repair must be made to your apartment (think wires, pipes, an accidental hole in the wall), a landlord can enter your apartment, but they're required to notify you within two days.
Tenants are almost never required to make any repairs
The only real maintenance a tenant has to do is keep the apartment tidy and replace the batteries of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Other than that, the only expectation is to use the rental in a "reasonable manner" and not totally destroy the place.
Repairs need to be timely
If you request an urgent repair in writing, that repair must be made by your landlord within 14 days. If it isn't you can withhold up to $500 of your rent. If that repair deals with something out-of-compliance with the city code, you are free to end your lease and leave if that repair isn't made within 14 days.
Your security deposit is always safe
A landlord has to give tenants a receipt for their security deposit and tell them in writing at which bank it's being stored. All security deposits must be kept in a separate account from the landlord's personal account, and that account must be at a bank that's federally insured. If the bank is changed, the tenant must be notified.
You need to be notified before your security deposit is deducted
A landlord has a 30-day window to do an inspection and present the renter(s) with an itemized list of security deposit deductions. Security deposits must be in a tenant's hands (or bank account) within 45 days after they move out.
Your landlord can never change the locks on you
So long as you're legally residing in a property, your landlord could be disciplined by Chicago police for changing the locks. Landlords can also receive fines of $200–$500 per day that residents are locked out.
You can't just get kicked out
You can be served an eviction notice, but a landlord needs to give their tenants at least 30 days to vacate the unit. If a 30-day notice is not given, a tenant can stay for an extra 60 days at the same rental rate.
Landlords will pay your attorney's fees
If you take your landlord to court in anything except in an eviction case, they'll have to foot the bill for court costs and "reasonable" attorney's fees—but only if you win the case.
You can get a free copy of your tenants' rights to show your landlord
The City of Chicago gives out free copies of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) at the Office of the City Clerk, Room 107, City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St.
Interested in blogging for Time Out? Contact us here