How do I negotiate lower rent on an apartment?

Use StreetSmart to find building violations and landlord history, then leverage that data in rent negotiations. Buildings with open violations, pest issues, or maintenance problems give you leverage to negotiate 10-20% lower rent. Our free tool shows you exactly what issues exist so you can ask for fair pricing.

Can building violations help me lower my rent?

Yes! Open violations are powerful negotiation leverage. If a building has unresolved code violations, pest complaints, or safety issues, you can use this official data to negotiate lower rent or ask for repairs before signing. Many renters save $100-500/month using this approach.

Is StreetSmart free to use?

Yes, StreetSmart is 100% free with no credit card or sign-up required. You can instantly view building violations, landlord ratings, and use our rent negotiation tools for millions of apartments across 10 major US cities.

What cities does StreetSmart cover?

StreetSmart covers 10 major US cities: New York City (787K+ buildings), Los Angeles (2.2M+ buildings), Chicago (700K+ buildings), San Francisco (200K+ buildings), San Diego (330K+ buildings), Boston (183K+ buildings), Philadelphia (547K+ buildings), Seattle (172K+ buildings), Miami (500K+ buildings), and Austin (33K+ buildings).

How can I tell if my rent is too high?

Search your building on StreetSmart to see violation history, landlord ratings, and compare to similar buildings. If your building has significant issues but charges premium rent, you have grounds to negotiate. Our tools help you make data-backed requests for fair pricing.

Chicago RLTO Explained | Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance Guide (2026)

The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is Chicago's comprehensive tenant protection law. It provides rights and protections that go beyond Illinois state law, giving Chicago renters some of the strongest protections in the Midwest. Here's everything you need to know.

1.5 mo

Max security
deposit

Interest

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deposits

Penalty for
violations

What is the RLTO?

The RLTO is a Chicago municipal ordinance that governs the relationship between residential landlords and tenants. It applies to most rental units within Chicago city limits and covers:

Security deposit limits and requirements
Required written disclosures before signing a lease
Notice requirements for lease termination
Remedies for both landlord and tenant violations
Prohibition on retaliatory conduct

Does the RLTO Apply to You?

The RLTO applies to most residential rentals in Chicago, but there are exceptions:

• Owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units
• Hotels, motels, and rooming houses
• Rentals in suburbs (they have different rules)

Security Deposit Rules

The RLTO has very specific requirements for security deposits. Landlord violations can result in significant penalties.

Security Deposit Requirements

Maximum amount: 1.5 months' rent

Landlords cannot charge more than this

Must be held in federally insured, interest-bearing account

In an Illinois bank

Interest must be paid to tenant annually

Within 30 days after the end of each 12-month rental period

Receipt required within 14 days

Must include bank name, address, and amount deposited

Return within 30-45 days of move-out

30 days if no deductions; 45 days with itemized statement of deductions

Penalty for Violations

If your landlord violates any security deposit requirement, you may be entitled to:

Two times the security deposit
Plus interest
Plus attorney's fees if you sue and win

Read our complete security deposit guide →

Required Disclosures

Before you sign a lease, your landlord must provide these written disclosures:

Required Written Disclosures

RLTO Summary
A summary of the ordinance's provisions (the city publishes this)
Owner/Agent Information
Name and address of owner or authorized agent
Building Code Violations
Any pending code violations issued within the previous 12 months
Lead Paint Disclosure
For buildings built before 1978 (federal requirement)
Radon Disclosure
Illinois state requirement

Penalty: If landlord fails to provide required disclosures, tenant may terminate the lease within 30 days of taking possession.

Notice Requirements

The RLTO specifies how much notice landlords and tenants must give:

Notice Periods

Year-long lease (non-renewal)30 days

Month-to-month lease30 days

Week-to-week lease7 days

Notice must be in writing. Oral notice is not sufficient.

Tenant Remedies

The RLTO provides several remedies if your landlord fails to maintain the property:

1. Repair and Deduct

If a landlord fails to maintain the premises in compliance with building code after proper notice, tenants may make necessary repairs and deduct the cost from rent (up to $500 or half month's rent, whichever is greater).

2. Rent Withholding

For material noncompliance affecting health and safety, tenants may withhold rent after proper notice, but should put the withheld rent in escrow.

3. Lease Termination

For certain violations, tenants may terminate the lease with proper written notice.

Important Warning

Before using any RLTO remedy (especially rent withholding), consult with a tenant rights organization or attorney. Improper use could put you at risk of eviction.

Protection from Retaliation

The RLTO prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who:

Complain to a government agency about code violations
Complain to the landlord about repairs
Exercise rights under the RLTO
Join or organize a tenant union

Retaliatory actions include raising rent, decreasing services, or beginning eviction proceedings. If retaliation occurs within 12 months of protected activity, it's presumed retaliatory.

Enforcing Your Rights

If your landlord violates the RLTO, you have several options:

Document everything — Keep copies of all communications, photos, and receipts
Send written notice — Many RLTO remedies require written notice first
Contact a tenant organization — Metropolitan Tenants Organization: (773) 292-4988
File in court — You can sue in small claims court for RLTO violations