Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-050
Landlord's right of access (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter the dwelling unit: (a) To make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements; (b) To supply necessary or agreed services; (c) To conduct inspections authorized or required by any government agency; (d) To exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, workmen or contractors; (e) To exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective tenants 60 days or less prior to the expiration of the existing rental agreement; (f) For practical necessity where repairs or maintenance elsewhere in the building unexpectedly require such access; (g) To determine a tenant's compliance with provisions in the rental agreement; and (h) In case of emergency. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in cases where access is authorized by subsection (f) or (h) of this section, the landlord shall give the tenant notice of the landlord's intent to enter of no less than two days. Such notice shall be provided directly to each dwelling unit by mail, telephone, written notice to the dwelling unit, or by other reasonable means designed in good faith to provide notice to the tenant. If access is required because of repair work for common facilities or other apartments, a general notice may be given by the landlord to all potentially affected tenants that entry may be required. In cases where access is authorized by subsection (f) or (h) of this section, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit without notice or consent of the tenant. The landlord shall give the tenant notice of such entry within two days after such entry. The landlord may enter only at reasonable times except in case of an emergency. An entry between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or at any other time expressly requested by the tenant shall be presumed reasonable. (Prior code § 193.1-5; Added Coun. J. 9-8-86, p. 33771; Amend Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-050, tenants are required to allow landlords reasonable access to their units for a defined set of purposes, including repairs, inspections, showing the unit, and emergencies. Landlords must generally provide at least two days' notice before entering, delivered directly to the unit by mail, phone, written notice, or another good-faith method. Emergency or unexpected maintenance situations are exceptions where entry may occur without advance notice, though the landlord must notify the tenant within two days after such an entry. Entry is presumed reasonable if it occurs between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., or at a time the tenant specifically requests.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-050 outlines the circumstances under which a landlord may access a tenant's dwelling unit and the procedural steps a compliant operator follows. Operators typically document their notice to tenants at least two days in advance—using mail, phone, written notice, or another good-faith method—before entering for repairs, inspections, showings, or similar permitted purposes. For emergency or unexpected common-area repair situations, operators generally enter without prior notice but provide written or verbal notice to the tenant within two days after entry. Compliant operators also take care not to use access rights in a harassing manner or at unreasonable hours outside the 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. window, unless the tenant has specifically requested another time.
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 § 5-12-050 gives tenants the right to expect at least two days' advance notice before a landlord enters their unit, except in genuine emergencies or unexpected repair situations affecting common areas or other units. If a landlord enters without proper notice or at unreasonable hours, tenants may have grounds to raise that conduct as a violation under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Tenants who believe their landlord is abusing access rights or using entry to harass them can consider contacting the Chicago Department of Housing or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available remedies. Keeping a written record of entry notices and actual entries can be useful when documenting potential violations of this section.
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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