Understanding Disclosures: Landlords Must Provide Contact Information in Evanston
As a tenant, it's important to be aware of tenants' rights and the landlord's responsibilities. Evanston implemented the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) to protect tenants and ensure fair housing practices. One crucial aspect of the RLTO is the requirement for landlords to disclose certain information to tenants before the tenancy begins.
Landlord's Disclosure Obligations
According to the RLTO, landlords or their authorized representatives must provide written disclosure to tenants, including the following information:
- Manager's Contact Information: Before the tenant moves in, the landlord must provide the tenant with the full name, address, and 24-hour telephone number of the person authorized to manage the building.
- Agent for Service of Process: The landlord must also share the name and contact information of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner for the purpose of receiving legal notices and demands. This includes service of legal documents and receipting for notices or demands.
The landlord's obligations continue during the whole tenancy. Even if the property changes ownership or management during the tenancy, the new landlord is still bound by the disclosure requirements.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If a landlord fails to fulfill the disclosure requirements mentioned above, they violated the RLTO. In such cases:
- Tenant's Right to Terminate: The tenant has the right to terminate the rental agreement by sending a letter demanding the information within 30 days. If the landlord fails to provide the information within 30 days after receiving the written notice, then the tenant can terminate the lease and move out. If the landlord does share their contact info, then the tenant can NOT terminate the lease.
- Tenant's Right to Terminate When There Are Only 2 Units in the Building and the Owner Lives in the Other Unit: The tenant has the right to terminate the rental agreement by sending a letter demanding the information within 48 hours. If the landlord fails to provide the information within 48 hours after receiving the written notice, then the tenant can terminate the lease and move out. If the landlord does share their contact info, then the tenant can NOT terminate the lease.
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