Understanding Tenant Rights: Who's Not Covered by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance?
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is the most important law for tenants and landlords in Chicago. However, it's crucial to know that not all tenants are covered by the RLTO. This article explains the exclusions listed in Section 5-12-050 of the Chicago RLTO to help you understand if you're unprotected by this law.
Exclusions from the Chicago RLTO:
- Landlord lives in the same building with six units or fewer.
- Hotels, motels, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and boardinghouses.
- Institutions like hospitals, care facilities, shelters, dormitories, and student housing.
- Rent-to-own leases.
- Housing that depends on one's employment.
- Cooperative housing where the tenant is also a shareholder.
NOTE: Lockouts are illegal even if a tenant is not protected by the Chicago RLTO. The landlord cannot force a tenant to move out and instead needs to follow the proper legal procedures through eviction court.
If a Chicago tenant is not covered by the Chicago RLTO, then they have rights from Illinois state laws or federal laws. They are not protected by the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance.
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.