Understanding Tenant Rights: The Cook County RTLO and Tenant Protections

The Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) is a local law that affects landlords and tenants. 

Tenants covered by the RLTO have rights like: 

• Repairs: If the landlord does not make repairs, the tenant may demand a repair by written notice. If the landlord fails to make repairs in 14 days, then the tenant may terminate the lease, withhold rent, or repair and deduct. 
• Minimum Notice of Lease Non-Renewal: If the landlord chooses not to renew the lease, then the landlord needs to give 60 days of notice.
• Disclosures: The landlord needs to disclose contact information (name, address, and telephone number of the landlord or landlord's agent), move-in fees, known lead hazards, code violations, and utility costs.
• Maximum Late Fee: The tenant cannot be charged a late fee more than $10 for the first $1000 of rent and 5% on the rest. 
• Notice Before Landlord Entry: The landlord needs give the tenant 2 days notice before entering their unit, unless it's an emergency.
• Summary of RTLO: The tenant must receive a copy of the summary of the RTLO. For a summary of the RTLO, visit this link.
• Subleases: The tenant has a right to sublet as long as it is reasonable and that person meets the same qualifications required for all tenants. 
• The Right to Cure: The right to "pay to stay" after an eviction is filed. A tenant can dismiss the eviction case and stay in the unit if they pay unpaid rent and all court costs, but not including attorney's fees. 
• Prohibition Against Retaliation: The landlord cannot retaliate within 1 year of the tenant's good-faith protected action.

Landlords have rights like: 

• The right to terminate the lease if rent is not paid. The landlord must give a written 5-day notice 
• The right to terminate the lease if the tenant violates their lease. The landlord must give a written 10-day notice identifying the lease violation. 
• The right to not renew the lease after giving proper notice.
• The right to throw away abandoned property after 7 days.