Understanding Disclosure: Landlord Must Notify About Conditions Affecting Habitability
Landlord's Obligations
Under Section 5-12-100(a) of the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, the landlord needs to notify a tenant about the conditions affecting habitability. This written notice needs to be given before the tenant signs or renews the lease or during the tenancy. The landlord needs to disclose:
- Any code violations cited by the City of Chicago's Department of Buildings during the previous 12 months
- The case number of any administrative hearing or code enforcement litigation from the past 12 months
Can a tenant find this information?
Yes. A tenant can look up an address on the City of Chicago's Department of Buildings' website.
A tenant can see whether the building has passed or failed any inspections and why, whether there were administrative hearings, or whether the City of Chicago's Department of Buildings filed a lawsuit against the landlord and building.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.