Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance: What You Need to Know

When renting in Chicago, whether you’re a seasoned landlord or a first-time tenant — it’s crucial to navigate rental relationships with clarity, confidence, and legal awareness. Chicago’s housing market moves fast, and without a solid understanding of your rights and responsibilities, small missteps can lead to disputes, financial loss, or unnecessary legal challenges.

At the heart of Chicago’s rental framework is the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), a set of rules that govern how landlords and tenants interact, from lease formation and rent adjustments to repairs, access, and eviction protections. Far from being a legal text, the ordinance is a practical document that shapes everyday living conditions for hundreds of thousands of Chicago residents.

According to the City of Chicago Municipal Code, the RLTO applies to almost all rental units in the city with written or oral leases, setting out clear expectations for both landlords and tenants. Its goal is to balance property owners’ rights with protections for renters, promoting fairness and stability in the local rental market.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key components of the Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance, explain how it affects you, and provide actionable insights you can use to operate legally and responsibly in 2026.

What Is the Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance (RLTO)?

The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is a local law codified in Chapter 5-12 of the Chicago Municipal Code. It governs the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in residential rental arrangements, ensuring that rental agreements are fair, transparent, and enforceable within the city limits.

Unlike Illinois state law which does not impose general rent stabilization or caps on rent increases, the Chicago RLTO sets out operational standards that landlords must follow, including how notices are delivered, how rent is charged, and what tenant protections must be respected.

One important structural point: the RLTO does not apply to:

• Owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units where the landlord lives on-site
• Hotels, motels, and similar short-term lodging
• Shelters, dormitory rooms, or other non-traditional residential living spaces
• Owner-occupied cooperatives and condominiums not leased out under standard rental agreements

However, even in exempt properties, some protections, such as the Fair Notice Ordinance still apply city-wide.

Why the RLTO Matters for Landlords and Tenants

The Chicago RLTO serves several essential functions:

• Standardizes Landlord Obligations: Landlords must provide tenants with certain disclosures, maintain habitable conditions, and follow defined timelines for repairs and lease changes.
• Clarifies Tenant Rights: Tenants gain formal protections, including the right to notice before rent increases, the right to request repairs, and protections against unlawful eviction tactics.
• Limits Retaliatory Conduct: Landlords cannot take hostile actions such as increasing rent or terminating leases in retaliation for tenants exercising their rights.
• Provides Legal Remedies: The RLTO outlines the procedures for dispute resolution, including access to the courts and jury trials where appropriate.

The ordinance works alongside broader state and federal protections, meaning compliance requires understanding both local rules and overarching legal frameworks.

Also Read- Landlord Eviction Services: What to Expect

Core Provisions for Landlords and Tenants

Below are the key areas covered by the Chicago RLTO, with explanations of what they mean in practice.

1. Lease Coverage and Applicability

As noted, the RLTO covers most residential rentals with written or oral lease agreements in Chicago. It explicitly requires landlords to provide tenants at or before the start of occupancy with a summary of the ordinance as outlined in the Municipal Code. Failure to provide this summary can give tenants the right to terminate the lease after proper written notice.

2. Required Notices for Lease Changes and Rent Increases

Under the RLTO, landlords must provide tenants with advance written notice before:

• ending or not renewing a lease
• increasing rent
• altering significant lease terms

The exact timing depends on how long a tenant has occupied the unit. According to the RLTO’s notice requirements:

• 30 days’ notice is required for tenants with a lease of less than 6 months
• 60 days’ notice for tenants in units for 6 months to 3 years
• 120 days’ notice for tenants occupying a unit for over 3 years

These notice periods apply whether the landlord is adjusting rent, refusing to renew a lease, or otherwise terminating tenancy.

3. Limits on Retaliatory Conduct

Chicago explicitly prohibits landlords from taking retaliatory actions such as raising rent, refusing to renew leases, or threatening eviction, in response to tenants exercising their rights. This includes actions taken when tenants report code violations, request repairs, or engage in protected activities. This provision safeguards tenants against punitive conduct and encourages open communication about maintenance and safety issues.

4. Habitability and Repair Obligations

While general state law also requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions, the RLTO reinforces these duties with clear standards, linking them to enforcement mechanisms. Tenants may request repairs in writing; if landlords fail to respond, tenants may have legal remedies, including rent withholding or repair and deduct options in certain circumstances.

5. Rent Payment and Late Fees

The ordinance also regulates how rent can be charged and when fees may be applied:

• Rent is due on the date specified in the lease
• Late fees are capped (typically $10 for the first $500 of rent plus 5% on the remainder) similar to general RLTO principles applied by local landlord associations

This ensures that rent payment standards remain transparent and capped at reasonable levels to avoid exploitative practices.

6. Right to Entry and Landlord Access

Landlords may enter rental units for specific, legitimate reasons (e.g., inspections, repairs, showing to prospective tenants) with reasonable notice, typically at least two days, except in emergencies. This promotes transparency and minimizes harassment while balancing landlords’ operational needs.

Notice Requirements for Rent Adjustments and Lease Changes

Unlike some cities that restrict rent increase amounts, Chicago does not generally limit how much a landlord can raise rent at the end of a lease term. However, the ordinance and city law require proper advance notice and link the duration of tenancy to the length of notice needed for valid rent changes.

For example:

• Landlords must provide at least 30 days’ notice for changes if a tenant has lived in the unit less than 6 months
• 60 days’ notice if tenancy is between 6 months and 3 years
• 120 days’ notice if tenancy exceeds 3 years

Failure to give the correct notice not only invalidates the rent change but can entitle tenants to remain in the unit past the landlord’s intended date of adjustment or termination.

Exceptions and Exemptions from the RLTO

Although the RLTO covers most rentals, some properties are excluded:

• Owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units where the owner lives in one of them
• Hotels, motels, and similar transient lodging not used as primary residences
• Shelters, institutional facilities, student housing that is not traditional lease-based, and other special-purpose housing

Even if a property is exempt, other ordinances such as the Fair Notice Ordinance may still require landlords to give sufficient written notice before raising rent or terminating tenancy.

Enforcement and Remedies

If a landlord violates the RLTO, tenants have several options, including seeking remedies through:

• Administrative enforcement
• Civil actions in court (including the right to a jury trial)
• Rent withholding or lease termination in cases of significant non-compliance (for example, failure to provide the required RLTO summary)

Both landlords and tenants are strongly encouraged to document all interactions and notices in writing, maintain clear records, and consult legal counsel when disputes arise.

Practical Examples: Applying the RLTO

Rent Increase Example

A tenant has lived in a Chicago apartment for two years. The landlord wants to raise rent at the end of the current lease. Under Chicago law, the landlord must provide at least 60 days’ written notice before the increase can take effect.

Lease Termination Example

A landlord with the intent to not renew a lease must follow the same notice thresholds as rent increases. Failure to do so may allow the tenant to remain under the same terms for an extended period.

Retaliation Example

If a tenant files a complaint about unsafe conditions and soon after the landlord attempts to terminate the lease without cause or significantly increase rent, this could trigger a retaliation defense under the ordinance.

Best Practices for Landlords and Tenants in Chicago

To avoid disputes and remain compliant with the ordinance:

1. Provide Written Notices in Advance

Ensure that rent increases, non-renewals, and lease changes are delivered in writing with adequate notice based on the tenant’s length of residence.

2. Maintain Clear Documentation

Keep dated records of all notices, communications about repairs, and lease agreements to help resolve disputes if they arise.

3. Follow Access and Entry Rules

Provide appropriate notice before entering units and limit non-emergency entries to times agreed upon with tenants.

4. Consult the RLTO Summary

Landlords must provide the official RLTO summary at lease signing; tenants should read it carefully to understand their rights.

How Platuni Support Compliance with the Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance

Complying with the Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance requires more than understanding the law, it depends on consistent execution. Notice timelines, documentation requirements, lease tracking, and communication records must all be handled accurately to avoid violations. For landlords managing multiple tenants, shared living arrangements, or frequent lease turnover, manual tracking can quickly become unreliable.

This is where structured property management platforms like Platuni add practical value. Platuni is designed to help landlords organize tenant onboarding, lease terms, and occupancy details in one centralized system. By maintaining clear records of lease start dates, tenancy duration, and communication history, landlords are better positioned to meet Chicago’s notice requirements for rent changes and lease terminations.

In shared or co-living environments, Platuni also helps reduce disputes by aligning expectations upfront and documenting agreements in writing, an approach that directly supports the transparency principles emphasized under the RLTO. Clear records and consistent workflows make it easier to demonstrate compliance if rent increases, lease non-renewals, or access disputes are ever challenged.

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Conclusion

The Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance is a comprehensive legal framework designed to protect both landlords and tenants by standardizing rental practices, ensuring transparency, and promoting fairness in housing relationships. From notice requirements for rent increases and lease changes to prohibitions on retaliatory conduct, the ordinance governs many everyday aspects of renting in the city.

By understanding and complying with the RLTO and supplementing operations with organized systems and documentation, landlords and tenants alike can minimize disputes and contribute to a more stable, predictable rental environment.