Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance: Cook County’s Rules for Protecting Tenants

In January of 2021, Cook County passed the new Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. This ordinance took aim at establishing protections for renters.

Also, the ordinance sets some consistent, foundational rules for landlords to follow. Here’s a look at the new rules and who is covered by them in Cook County.

What is the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance?

Going into effect on June 1st, 2021, the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) extended the housing protections to renters and landlords in over 245,000 households in Cook County. The ordinance set a standard for landlord conduct, requiring fair lease terms, safer living conditions in units, and rules for respecting tenant privacy.

Essentially, this ordinance aimed to build safeguards against illegal landlord practices by establishing rules, such as:

• Preventing landlords from unlawful entry

• Establishing requirements for regular and emergency repairs

• Protections against unfair leasing terms

• Preventing unfair late rent fees, excessive security deposits, and other non-refundable fees

RTLO’s main goal is to help low-income renters—64% of renters in Cook County—protect themselves from unfair and unlawful practices that would make it more difficult to find safe, affordable housing.

Who is Covered by the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance?

Almost all rental units in suburban Cook County are included in the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. However, there are a few exemptions from the RTLO (though not except from lockout rules).

These exceptions include:

• “Mom and pop” owners of buildings with six or less units

• Single-family homes and condominiums if the owner is renting just one property or who has lived in the home in the past 12 months

• Single-room occupancy housing

• Units in hotels, motels, or rooming houses unless the rent is paid on a monthly basis and unit occupied over 32 days

• School dorms, shelters, employee quarters, non-residential rental properties, and owner-occupied co-ops

Operating within Cook Count Landlord/Tenant Law

While Cook County (and Illinois as a whole) strives to improve conditions for landlords and tenants alike, the law contains many nuances. With the introduction of the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance, tenants gained additional protections.

For legal guidance with landlord and tenant matters, schedule an appointment with the real estate attorney at Lee Scott Perres, P.C.