Chicago tenants are protected by the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), one of the strongest tenant protection laws in the country. Know your rights.
Click any topic to learn more about your rights and how to take action.
Chicago's powerful Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance covers security deposits, lock changes, lease terms, and more.
City of Chicago CDPH complaint process, building code enforcement, and your right to a habitable home.
The 2023 Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires landlords to have a valid reason to evict or refuse lease renewal.
The RLTO requires interest payments, specific bank account rules, and strict return timelines for security deposits.
RLTO notice requirements including 30 days for month-to-month and 60 days for yearly leases.
Anti-harassment protections under Chicago law, including illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, and intimidation.
Chicago requires heat from October 15 to June 1, with minimum temperatures of 68°F daytime and 66°F nighttime.
Lead inspection requirements, notification rules, and tenant protections, especially for pre-1978 buildings.
Landlord responsibility for pest control, bed bug disclosure requirements, and tenant rights during treatment.
RLTO anti-retaliation provisions protect tenants who exercise their rights from landlord punishment.
Chicago tenants have the right to a safe, habitable home. Landlords must maintain the property in compliance with city building codes and health standards.
The Chicago RLTO provides comprehensive protections including security deposit interest, written notice requirements, and remedies for landlord violations.
As of 2023, landlords in Chicago must have a valid reason to evict tenants or refuse lease renewal. This applies to most residential rental units.
Chicago tenants have the right to organize tenant associations and cannot be retaliated against for exercising their rights.
Landlords must hold deposits in a federally insured interest-bearing account, provide a receipt, and return the deposit with interest within 30 days of move-out.
If you need immediate help with a housing issue, these are the key numbers to call.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Tenant laws can change, and individual situations vary. For legal advice specific to your situation, contact a qualified attorney or one of the free legal services listed above.