Understanding Tenant Rights: Prohibition Against Retaliation
What is retaliation?
Retaliation means to pay back an injury in kind. You hurt me; I’ll hurt you.
Retaliation – broadly speaking – can occur whenever a landlord might act negatively or harass the tenant after the tenant says or does something. For example, the tenant might complain about their mail being stolen and the landlord sends a notice of nonrenewal three months later. The landlord might give a negative review to prospective landlords after the tenant moves out because they requested repairs. However, every landlord’s action that may negatively affect a tenant’s housing does not mean that the landlord has retaliated in violation of local, state, and federal laws.
To read more about what the law considers retaliation, visit these articles relevant to Chicago residents:
- Local: Oak Park Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance
- State: Retaliatory Eviction Act
- Federal: Fair Housing Act
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.