Highwood ARTICLE C. RENTAL PROPERTY SAFETY § 10-2C-18
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Operative Text
By enacting and undertaking to enforce this article, the mayor, city council, city officials, the city and its agents, and employees do not warrant or guaranty the safety, fitness or suitability of any dwelling in the city. Owners and occupants should take whatever steps they deem appropriate to protect their interests, health, safety and welfare. Further, any certificate of compliance issued shall not be deemed a determination that a property or premises is in compliance with any city ordinance in any action brought by the city, and shall not be admitted into evidence (except if sought or stipulated by the city), unless for the limited purpose of establishing that a certificate has been issued. (Ord. 2003-O-75, 12-16-2003; amd. Ord. 07-O-4, 2-6-2007)
Highwood § 10-2C-18 establishes that the city's decision to enact and enforce its rental property safety article does not constitute a warranty or guarantee that any dwelling is safe, fit, or suitable. A certificate of compliance issued under this article is not treated as an official finding that a property meets all city ordinances, and it generally cannot be introduced as evidence in city-initiated legal proceedings—except in limited circumstances where the city itself seeks or agrees to its admission, or where it is used solely to confirm that a certificate was issued. The provision makes clear that responsibility for protecting health, safety, and welfare rests with owners and occupants, not with the city.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Highwood § 10-2C-18, property owners and managers should understand that obtaining a certificate of compliance does not shield them from liability or confirm full compliance with all applicable city ordinances. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties to applicable safety standards independently of any certificate, recognizing that the certificate's evidentiary use is strictly limited. Keeping thorough maintenance records and addressing habitability concerns proactively reflects the kind of ongoing diligence this provision implicitly places on owners.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Highwood § 10-2C-18 makes clear that a certificate of compliance issued for a rental property is not a government guarantee that the unit is safe or fully code-compliant. Tenants who have concerns about the safety or habitability of their dwelling may wish to contact the city directly, reach out to a local tenant-rights organization, or explore what remedies are available under other provisions of Highwood's rental property safety article. Because the certificate carries limited evidentiary weight, tenants generally look to other documentation and inspection records when raising habitability concerns.
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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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