Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights under the RLTO, researching buildings, and navigating Chicago's rental market.
Check violations, property info, and building scores for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Chicago. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in Chicago? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in Chicago for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to Chicago? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Chicago. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in Chicago? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readComplete guide for relocating to Chicago. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readDecode Chicago apartment types: studio, garden, vintage, coach house, two-flat. What do they all mean?
8 min readKnow your legal protections under Chicago's RLTO.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in Chicago under the RLTO. From repairs to eviction protections.
15 min readLearn what the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance means for you, what protections it provides, and how to use it.
10 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Notice requirements, rent increases, and negotiation strategies.
9 min readKnow your rights regarding heat and hot water. Learn what to do if your landlord doesn't comply.
6 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
10 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
Understand the true costs of renting in Chicago.
Understanding broker fees in Chicago and how to find no-fee apartments.
7 min readEverything about security deposits in Chicago, including RLTO limits, interest requirements, and getting your money back.
8 min readDon't meet income requirements? Learn about personal guarantors, guarantor services, and alternatives.
9 min readProtect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
Compare building quality, violations, and scores across Chicago's 77 community areas.
You'll typically need first month's rent, security deposit (max 1.5 months under the RLTO), and application fees. Most landlords require income of 2.5-3x monthly rent. For a $1,800/month apartment, expect $3,600-5,400 upfront and annual income of $54,000-65,000.
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →The Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is Chicago's comprehensive tenant protection law. It covers security deposits, required disclosures, notice requirements, and provides remedies when landlords violate your rights.
Read our RLTO Guide →You can check building violations for free on StreetSmart by searching any Chicago address. We show the complete violation history, property information, and building quality scores.
Chicago tenants have strong protections under the RLTO including: the right to livable conditions (heat, hot water, no pests), security deposit limits and interest requirements, required written notice for lease termination, and remedies for landlord violations.
Read our Complete Tenant Rights Guide →Under the RLTO, landlords can charge up to 1.5 months' rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be held in a federally insured interest-bearing account, and landlords must pay you the interest annually.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official City of Chicago data and regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple city sources to give you the most complete picture of any building.
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