Friday, September 11, 2009

Landlords - Be aware of building code violations and tenants

5-12-100 Notice of Conditions Affecting Habitability (the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance)


Before a tenant initially enters into or renews a rental agreement for a dwelling unit, the landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing:

(a) Any code violations which have been cited by the City of Chicago during the previous 12 months for the dwelling unit and common areas and provide notice of the pendency of any code enforcement litigation or compliance board proceeding pursuant to Section 13-8-070 of the municipal code affecting the dwelling unit or common area. The notice shall provide the case number of the litigation and/or the identification number of the compliance board proceeding and a listing of any code violations cited.

(b) Any notice of intent by the City of Chicago or any utility provider to terminate water, gas, electrical or other utility service to the dwelling unit or common areas. The disclosure shall state the type of service to be terminated, the intended date of termination; and whether the termination will affect the dwelling unit, the common areas or both. A landlord shall be under a continuing obligation to provide disclosure of the information described in this subsection (b) throughout a tenancy.

If a landlord violates this section, the tenant or prospective tenant shall be entitled to remedies described in Section 5-12-090 of the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance.

Miller Bammi LLC can help you with your building code violations and landlord-tenant disputes. We can be reached via email at admin@millerbammi.com or via phone at 312-238-9298.


Please note this is intended to give general information to the public. Although the information is generally accurate, it cannot be guaranteed and this information should not be construed as legal advice upon which a reader can rely. In all cases, please consult a lawyer before acting. This is intended to be advertising, and not solicitation, or legal advice.