Bolingbrook — Ch. 26 Housing Standards and Property Maintenance § 26-82
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Default means that the mortgagor has not complied with the terms of the mortgage on the property, or the promissory note, or other evidence of the debt, referred to in the mortgage. Enforcement officer means any law enforcement officer, building official, zoning inspector, code enforcement officer, fire inspector, building inspector, or other person authorized by the village to enforce the applicable codes. Evidence of vacancy means any condition that on its own, or combined with other conditions present, would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, overgrown or dead vegetation; past due utility notices or disconnected utilities; accumulation of trash, junk or debris; abandoned vehicles, auto parts or materials; the absence of furnishings or personal items consistent with habitation or occupancy; the presence of an unsanitary, stagnant swimming pool; the accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers or mail; statements by neighbors, passersby, delivery agents or government agents; or the presence of boards over doors, windows or other openings in violation of applicable codes. Foreclosure or foreclosure action means the legal process by which a mortgagee, or other lien holder, terminates or attempts to terminate a property owner's equitable right of redemption to obtain legal and equitable title to the real property pledged as security for a debt or the real property subject to the lien. The legal process is not concluded until the property obtained by the mortgagee, lien holder, or their designee, by certificate of title, or any other means, is sold to a non-related bona fide purchaser in an arm's length transaction to satisfy the debt or lien. Mortgagee means the creditor, including, but not limited to, trustees; mortgage servicing companies; lenders in a mortgage agreement; any agent, servant, or employee of the creditor; any successor in interest; any assignee of the creditor's rights, interests or obligations under the mortgage agreement; or any other person or entity with the legal right to foreclose on the real property, excluding governmental entities. Owner means every person, entity, or mortgagee who, alone or severally with others, has legal or equitable title to any real property as defined by this article; has legal care, charge, or control of any such property; is in possession or control of any such property; or is vested with possession or control of any such property. The property manager shall not be considered the owner. Property manager means any party designated by the owner as responsible for inspecting, maintaining and securing the property as required in this article. Real property means any residential or commercial land or buildings, leasehold improvements and anything affixed to the land, or portion thereof, identified by a property parcel identification number, located in the village limits. Registrable property means any real property located in the village, whether vacant or occupied, that is encumbered by a mortgage subject to an ongoing foreclosure action by the mortgagee or trustee, has been the subject of a foreclosure action by a mortgagee or trustee and a judgment has been entered, or has been the subject of a foreclosure sale where the title was transferred to the beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the foreclosure and any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure sale. The designation of a default or foreclosure property as registrable shall remain in place until such time as the property is sold to a non-related bona fide purchaser in an arm's length transaction or the foreclosure action has been dismissed. The term "registrable property" also means a property that is vacant for more than 30 days or any cancellation of utility or service, whichever occurs first. Registry means a web-based electronic database of searchable real property records, used by the village to allow mortgagees and owners the opportunity to register properties and pay applicable fees as required in this article. Semi-annual registration means six months from the date of the first action that requires registration, as determined by the village, or its designee, and every subsequent six months. The date of the initial registration may be different than the date of the first action that required registration. Utilities and services means any utility or service that is essential for a building to be habitable or perform a service necessary to comply with all village codes. This includes, but is not limited to, electrical, gas, water, sewer, lawn maintenance, pool maintenance, and snow removal. Vacant means any parcel of land in the village that contains any building or structure that is not lawfully occupied.
Section 26-82 of Bolingbrook's Housing Standards and Property Maintenance Code establishes the working definitions for key terms used throughout the article governing foreclosure-related property registration. Among the most consequential definitions are 'registrable property,' which covers real property under an active or completed foreclosure action as well as property that has been vacant for more than 30 days, and 'owner,' which extends responsibility to mortgagees and those with legal control—not just titleholders. These definitions set the conceptual boundaries for who must comply with the article's requirements and which properties fall under its scope.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and mortgagees operating in Bolingbrook should be familiar with the definitions in § 26-82, because terms like 'owner,' 'registrable property,' and 'mortgagee' determine who bears registration and maintenance obligations under the article. Notably, the definition of 'owner' is broad enough to include parties with legal care or control of a property, meaning mortgagees actively involved in a foreclosure may carry responsibilities typically associated with traditional ownership. Compliant operators generally ensure that any property meeting the 'registrable property' definition—including those vacant for more than 30 days—is enrolled in the village's web-based registry and that a designated property manager is identified as required.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants, § 26-82 is important because it defines 'evidence of vacancy' and 'vacant' in ways that can affect whether a property is subject to heightened village oversight, even if someone is living there. The broad definition of 'owner' means that a mortgagee or other controlling party—not just a traditional landlord—may bear responsibility for maintaining a property under this article. Tenants who believe their building is being neglected or improperly classified as vacant may find it useful to contact the village's enforcement officers, as defined in § 26-82, or to reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand how these definitions apply to their situation.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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