Chicago, Illinois Tenant Landlord Law FAQs

There are three (3) main things Landlords must disclose or attach to leases in Chicago.

First, Chicago landlords shall attach to rental agreements the most current version of the RLTO “Summary” made for by copying and inspection by the City of Chicago.  This includes both oral and written leases.  Additionally, if a security deposit is paid, landlords shall attach a “Separate Summary” of security deposit interest rates containing the current year’s interest rate and the rate for the previous two (2) years.  If the landlord fails to attach the legal Summaries, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement by written notice. The written notice shall specify the date of termination no later than 30 days from the date of the written notice. If a tenant in a civil legal proceeding against his landlord establishes that a violation of this section has occurred, he or she shall be entitled to recover $100.00 in damages.

Second, before a tenant initially enters into or renews a rental agreement for a dwelling unit, Chicago landlords shall disclose to the tenant in writing any code violations which have been cited by the City of Chicago during the previous 12 months for the dwelling unit and common areas and provide notice of the pendency of any code enforcement litigation or administrative hearing proceeding affecting the dwelling unit or common area. The notice shall provide the case number of the litigation and/or the identification number of the administrative hearing proceeding and a listing of any code violations cited. If a landlord violates this obligation, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the notice by the landlord, unless the the code violations are disclosed by the landlord.  Additionally, if the landlord fails to disclose violations after notice is received, the tenant shall recover one month’s rent or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Third, a landlord or any person authorized to enter into an oral or written rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name, address, and telephone number of:
(a) The owner or person authorized to manage the premises; and
(b) A person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose of receiving and receipting for notices and demands.

If a landlord violates this obligation, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the notice by the landlord, unless the owner and agent information is disclosed by the landlord.  Additionally, if the landlord fails to disclose owner and agent information after notice is received, the tenant shall recover one month’s rent or actual damages, whichever is greater.