Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-010
Title, purpose and scope (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance", and shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its purposes and policies. It is the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the city, in order to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens, to establish the rights and obligations of the landlord and the tenant in the rental of dwelling units, and to encourage the landlord and the tenant to maintain and improve the quality of housing. This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations and remedies under every rental agreement for a dwelling unit located within the City of Chicago, regardless of where the agreement is made, subject only to the limitations contained in Section 5-12-020 . This chapter applies specifically to rental agreements for dwelling units operated under subsidy programs of agencies of the United States and/or the State of Illinois, including specifically programs operated or subsidized by the Chicago Housing Authority and/or the Illinois Housing Development Authority to the extent that this chapter is not in direct conflict with statutory or regulatory provisions governing such programs. (Prior code § 193.1-1; Added Coun. J. 9-8-86, p. 33771; Amend Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196; Amend Coun. J. 3-31-04, p. 20916, § 3.22)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-010 establishes the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) as the governing framework for rental housing within the City of Chicago. The ordinance sets out the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants under any rental agreement for a dwelling unit located in Chicago, regardless of where that agreement was signed. It also extends to subsidized housing programs—including those run by the Chicago Housing Authority and the Illinois Housing Development Authority—except where the ordinance would directly conflict with the rules governing those programs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating rental units in Chicago should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-010 establishes the RLTO as the foundational law governing their rental agreements. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the full scope of the ordinance, understanding that it applies to all dwelling units in the city—including subsidized units—subject only to the exceptions outlined in Section 5-12-020. Staying current with the ordinance's requirements helps operators maintain housing quality and meet their legal obligations to tenants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-010 establishes that the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance covers virtually all rental dwelling units in Chicago, including many subsidized housing arrangements, giving tenants a defined set of rights under city law. Tenants living in Chicago can look to the RLTO as a source of protections regardless of where their lease was signed or whether their unit receives a government subsidy, with limited exceptions noted in Section 5-12-020. Those seeking to understand how these rights apply to their situation may find it helpful to consult the Chicago Department of Housing or a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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