Chicago Updates Mandatory Tenant Rights Summary

Landlords owning Chicago properties in most circumstances are now required to provide tenants with the new summary of the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (“RLTO”) posted by the city in March. The summary can be reached at this link. Landlords are required to attach the new summary to leases and provide copies when entering an oral lease agreement pursuant to Chicago Municipal Code Section 5-12-170.

Substantively, the new guide does not differ from the previous summary and is indeed treated as a “revision” as opposed to a new document, relying on the 2020 approval of the previous iteration by the City Council. Stylistically, the document moves to the front provisions related to rent increase notice timing and prohibitions on lockouts.

The RLTO offers extensive protections for tenants that may surprise landlords who are not familiar with Chicago’s intricacies and the RLTO gives tenants extensive rights to terminate leases if the landlord violates the tenant’s rights. Landlords operating in Chicago should take the time to learn the RLTO and periodically refresh their knowledge of the rules. To that end, the new summary is a good place to start, but it is always helpful for landlords to consult with an attorney before taking steps that fall under the regulation, including evictions, rent raises, and collecting security deposits.

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