Now What? Landlord is Renovating the Building

Scenario 1: Landlord wants me to move immediately to renovate the unit I am living in during the middle of my lease. 

• If the tenant has a lease with an end date, then the landlord can’t make a tenant move during the middle of a lease. Unless the tenant agrees to move, the landlord must honor the lease agreement.  
• If the tenant has a month-to-month lease, then the landlord still has to give proper notice that follows the Chicago Fair Notice Ordinance. Click here to learn more. 

Scenario 2: Landlord wants me to move for some time to renovate the unit.

• A tenant is not required to move for renovations. Because a landlord is not required to pay for alternate housing during renovations, tenants should consider negotiating the terms. 
• Note: Renovations may take longer than expected, so tenants should take caution about where they’ll live in the meantime.  

Scenario 3: The landlord’s renovations are not completed, and I’m missing ________.  

• If you’re missing an essential service like the only toilet or running water, you may have remedies under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Click here to learn more. 
• If the renovations are considered general maintenance (like painting or a light fixture), then you may still have remedies under the Chicago RLTO. Click here to learn more. 

Scenario 4: The renovations are affecting me. 

• Construction must follow the Chicago Noise Ordinance. 
• Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of the rental property. 

Scenario 5: My landlord put my property into storage because of renovations, but now my stuff is gone or lost. 

• If you have renter's insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your rental insurance company.
• If you don't have renter's insurance OR were unable to file an insurance claim, you may be able to file a small claims case against the landlord and/or the landlord's agents who lost the property. However, this is something you would likely either need to do on your own or hire a private attorney

Scenario 6: We signed a lease. The landlord said renovations would be done by the time we moved in, but they said they’re not done and we can’t move in. Or we moved in and noticed that there are severe problems with the unit. 

• Chicago tenants may have a claim under the Chicago RLTO. This circumstance could be called “Failure to deliver possession.” Tenants then have the option to terminate the lease or demand that the repairs are made. For more info, click here.