Chicago has some of the strongest tenant protections in the Midwest through the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). Whether you're dealing with a negligent landlord, facing an illegal eviction, or just want to know your rights before signing a lease, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Emergency Contacts
The RLTO: Your Protection
The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is Chicago's comprehensive tenant protection law. It applies to most residential rentals within Chicago city limits and provides rights that go beyond Illinois state law.
The RLTO covers:
- Security deposit limits and requirements
- Required written disclosures
- Notice requirements for lease termination
- Remedies for landlord violations
- Prohibition on retaliatory conduct
Read our complete RLTO guide →
Your Right to Repairs
Under the RLTO and Chicago building code, landlords are legally required to maintain the building in a "safe and livable" condition. This is called the implied warranty of habitability.
Your landlord must provide and maintain:
- Heat — September 15 through June 1 (min 68°F during day, 66°F at night)
- Hot water — Year-round, at minimum 120°F
- Running water — Clean, potable water
- Working plumbing — Toilets, sinks, drains
- Electricity — To common areas and adequate wiring
- Pest-free conditions — Landlord must address infestations
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Working locks — On all entry doors
- No lead paint hazards — Required disclosure for pre-1978 buildings
Check a Building's Violation History
Before renting, see how many violations a building has. Repeated violations indicate a negligent landlord.
How to Get Repairs Done
- Notify your landlord in writing — Email or letter. Keep copies of everything.
- Give 14 days to respond — For non-emergency repairs. Less for emergencies.
- Call 311 to file a complaint — This triggers a city inspection.
- Document everything — Photos, videos, written records of communication.
- Use RLTO remedies — If landlord fails to act, you may have options like rent withholding or repair-and-deduct.
Heat & Hot Water Laws
No heat in winter is one of the most common complaints in Chicago. Here's exactly what you're entitled to:
Chicago Heat Requirements (Sept 15 - June 1)
No heat or hot water? Call 311 immediately. The city treats heat complaints seriously during heating season.
Read our complete guide to heat & hot water laws →Your Right to a Pest-Free Home
Under Chicago law, landlords are responsible for eradicating infestations:
- Bedbugs — Landlord must hire a licensed exterminator
- Roaches — Must treat and seal entry points
- Rats and mice — Must exterminate and address building-wide issues
Report Pest Problems
Document the issue with photos and notify your landlord in writing. If they don't respond, call 311 to report.
Security Deposit Rights
Chicago's RLTO has strict rules about security deposits:
- Maximum deposit — 1.5 months' rent
- Where it's kept — Must be in a federally insured interest-bearing account
- Interest payment — Landlord must pay you the interest annually
- Receipt required — Must provide name/address of bank within 14 days
- Return timeline — Within 30 days of move-out (or 45 with itemized statement)
- Penalty for violations — Tenant may be entitled to 2x deposit plus interest
Eviction Protections
In Chicago, landlords cannot evict you without going through court. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing your belongings, shutting off utilities) are illegal.
If Your Landlord Illegally Locks You Out
- 1. Call 911 — Illegal lockout is a crime
- 2. File a police report
- 3. Go to court for an emergency order to restore access
- 4. Document everything — photos of changed locks, witnesses
The Eviction Process (What Landlords Must Do)
5-day notice for non-payment, 10-day for lease violations
Landlord must file a case in court
Official court papers delivered to you
You have the right to appear and defend yourself
Only a judge can order eviction
Only the Sheriff can execute an eviction
Required Landlord Disclosures
Under the RLTO, landlords must provide certain written disclosures:
- RLTO summary — A summary of the ordinance's provisions
- Owner information — Name and address of owner or agent
- Code violations — Any pending building code violations
- Lead paint disclosure — For buildings built before 1978
- Radon disclosure — Required in Illinois
If your landlord fails to provide these disclosures, you may have legal remedies under the RLTO.
How to File Complaints
Where to File Complaints
Heat, hot water, pests, repairs, general maintenance. Triggers city inspection.
Building code violations. Call (312) 742-5500.
For RLTO violations, sue in small claims or civil court.
Consumer fraud, discrimination. File at illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.
Free Legal Help
Chicago has resources for tenants who need legal help:
- Metropolitan Tenants Organization — (773) 292-4988 — Hotline, counseling, organizing
- Legal Aid Chicago — Free legal services for low-income tenants
- Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing — Tenant advocacy and legal help
- Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral — (312) 554-2001
Before You Sign a Lease
The best protection is prevention. Before signing any lease:
- Research the building's violation history
- Verify the landlord provides RLTO disclosures
- Ask the right questions before signing
- Read the entire lease and understand all terms
- Take photos/video of the apartment's condition before moving in