TENANT’S HOMEPAGE
Hi Neighbor! Welcome to the tenants information page. Here, you’ll find resources surrounding your rights and responsibilities as a renter in the City of Chicago.
Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO)
The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is an ordinance of the city of Chicago which outlines the rights and responsibilities of tenants and their landlords or property management firms. RLTO clarifies and defines the relationship between landlords and tenants, and grants each certain rights, while also clarifying each party’s obligations to one another. For the full document click here!
The RLTO Covers:
Rental units under written or oral leases, Including CHA housing, section 8 housing, IHDA housing, etc.
The RLTO does NOT cover:
Owner-occupied buildings of 6 or fewer units.
Units in hotels, motels, and rooming houses (except when rent is paid monthly and the unit is occupied for more than 32 days)
School dormitories, shelters, employees quarters, non-residential properties
Owner-occupied co-operatives and condominiums.
For tenants, the RLTO outlines:
Tenants Rights to:
Clean and structurally sound buildings
Tenants unions/associations
Fair and safe security deposits
Back-pay rent to terminate eviction
Essential Services (Heat, hot and running water, electricity, plumbing, and/or gas)
Tenant Responsibilities to:
Keep the unit clean and safe
Maintain smoke detectors and plumbing fixtures
Pay rent in a timely manner
Allow landlord/contractors into unit to complete necessary work
Bed Bug Ordinance
Bed Bugs are a major concern for anyone, anywhere, and it’s no different in Chicago. The Bed Bug Ordinance outlines the steps landlords and property managers and their tenants MUST take to mitigate bedbugs when they are discovered. Bedbug mitigation has responsibilities for tenants and landlords in order to ensure co-operation from both parties.
For more information, click below!
Tenant Associations
All renters in Chicago have the right to form and join tenants organizations, associations, and unions! Landlords are not permitted to raise rent, suspend services, or evict tenants for joining, managing, creating, or otherwise associating with organized tenants or government officials. This is known as Retaliatory Conduct, and it is illegal.
Tenants can become organized for any reason from neglectful management to simply getting to know your neighbors.
Other Housing Resources
Not quite what you’re looking for? Reach out to these organizations in our community to get assistance with your housing needs! If you still aren’t satisfied, come in to our office or give us a call so we can accomodate your housing needs more directly.
Case Management
Nourishing Hope
3945 N Sheridan Rd.
(773) 525 - 1777
Walk-ins - Mon, Wed, Fri: 11am-1pm
Connects people to in-house assistance and resources such as public benefits, financial, transportation, employment, mental health, wellness, and housing.
Northside Community Resources
1530 W. Morse Ave.
(773) 338 - 7722
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Mission to build and strengthen communities among the diverse populations of Chicago’s North Side. Services: Small accessibility repairs for seniors, housing program, multicultural resource program, senior services, and fair housing program.
Ezra Multi Service Center
909 W Wilson
(773) 275 - 2580
Mon - Fri: 9am-5pm
Dedicated to Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world” ad helping community members live with dignity through advocacy and compassionate collaborative care for those experiencing a crisis or isolation/
Department of Family and Support Services
845 W Wilson
(312) 744 - 2580
Mon - Fri: 9am-5pm
Dedicated to strengthening families in communities through programs that promote stability, safety, and wellbeing. It provides resources and support to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.
Legal Services
Law Center for Better Housing
100 N LaSalle St. Room 2500
(312) 347 - 7600
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Provides free legal and supportive services to help low and moderate income renters in the private housing market avoid eviction, address substandard housing conditions, and stabilize their homes.
Legal Aid Chicago
120 S LaSalle St. Rm 900
(312) 341 - 1070
Mon-Fri: 8:45am-5pm
Provides free representation in civil legal matters for clients who lack the resources to hire an attorney on their own.
Uptown People’s Law Center
1530 W. Morse Ave.
(773) 338 - 7722
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Mission to build and strengthen communities among the diverse populations of Chicago’s North Side. Services: Small accessibility repairs for seniors, housing program, multicultural resource program, senior services, and fair housing program.
Shelters in the 46th Ward
For information on shelters, and unhoused support services, check out unhoused neighbors page, linked below