Beardstown — Ch. 5 Art. VIII Rental Housing Inspection § 5-84
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words and terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them as follows: Landlord means the legal title holder of a premises, as shown by the records of the Cass County Recorder of Deeds Office, which has one (1) or more rental units on it. If the legal title holder is a land trust, however, the landlord shall mean the beneficial owner or owners of the land trust. Permanent resident means any person who occupies, or has the right to occupy, any rental unit. Person means an individual, partnership or corporation. Premises means a tract of land on which one (1) or more rental units are located. Rental unit means any room or group of rooms forming a habitable unit used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by one (1) or more permanent residents, other than the owner. Tenant means the person, or persons, renting a rental unit.
Section 5-84 of Beardstown's Ch. 5 Art. VIII establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the Rental Housing Inspection ordinance. It defines key terms such as "landlord," "tenant," "rental unit," "premises," and "permanent resident," clarifying, for example, that when a property is held in a land trust, the beneficial owner—not merely the title holder—is treated as the landlord. These definitions set the scope of who and what is covered by the inspection program, ensuring consistent interpretation of the rules that follow.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 5-84, a "landlord" is identified by the ownership records at the Cass County Recorder of Deeds Office, meaning that whoever holds legal title to a property with one or more rental units is generally subject to the ordinance's requirements. Operators who hold property through a land trust should be aware that the beneficial owner, rather than the trust itself, is treated as the landlord for purposes of this chapter. Compliant operators typically ensure their ownership structure is accurately reflected in county records and understand how that structure affects their obligations under the Rental Housing Inspection program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-84 defines "tenant" as the person or persons renting a rental unit, and "permanent resident" as anyone who occupies or has the right to occupy such a unit—language that can affect who is recognized as having rights under Beardstown's Ch. 5 Art. VIII inspection framework. Understanding these definitions helps renters determine whether their living arrangement falls within the ordinance's coverage. Tenants who have questions about how these definitions apply to their situation may find it useful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full ordinance for context.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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