Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance Summary

In Chicago, the legal rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants are covered in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO).

Approved in 1986 and amended over the years, the RLTO’s purpose is “to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens” and “to encourage the landlord and the tenant to maintain and improve the quality of housing” citywide.

typing fingers with graphics of house overlaid

The ordinance covers most rental properties located in Chicago except units in owner-occupied buildings with six units or less; most units in hotels, motels and rooming houses; dormitories, shelters, employee’s quarters, and non-residential rental properties; and owner-occupied co-ops.

Rights and obligations covered by the ordinance include:

Tenant’s general responsibilities
Landlord’s right of access
Security deposits and prepaid rent
Landlord’s general duties
Identification of owner and agent
Notice of conditions affecting habitability
Landlord and tenant remedies
Prohibition of retaliatory conduct by landlord
Summary of ordinance attached to rental agreement