Justice Ch. 8 Art. XII Annual Inspection for Residential Apartment Units (§§8-501–8-516) § 8-506

(a) Disclosure:


(1) The landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing on or before the commencement of the tenancy:


a. The name, address and telephone number of the person authorized to manage the premises; and


b. The name and address of the owner of the premises or the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose for receiving notices and demands.


(2) A person who fails to comply with subsection (a)(1) of this section becomes an agent of each person who is a landlord for:


a. Service of process and receiving of notices and demands; and


b. Performing the obligations of the landlord under this article and under the rental agreement.


(3) The information required to be furnished by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be kept current. Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section extend to and are enforceable against any successor landlord or manager.


(4) Before a tenant initially enters into or renews a rental agreement for a rental unit, the landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing any existing code violations which have been cited by the village for the rental unit.


(b) Maintenance Of Premises:


(1) The landlord shall maintain the premises in substantial compliance with applicable codes of the village and shall promptly make any and all repairs necessary to fulfill this obligation.


(2) The landlord and tenant of any rental unit may agree that the tenant is to perform specified repairs, maintenance tasks, alterations or remodeling only if:


a. The agreement of the parties is entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the landlord or tenant and is set forth in a separate writing signed by the parties and supported by adequate consideration; and


b. The agreement does not diminish or affect the obligation of the landlord to other tenants in the premises.


(c) Access To Rental Unit: The landlord shall not abuse the right to access the rental unit or use it to harass the tenant. Except in cases of emergency, the landlord shall give the tenant a reasonable notice of his or her intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. The landlord may enter the rental unit in order to conduct an inspection or permit the village inspectors to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services or show the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants or contractors. The landlord or his or her agent may display a “for rent” sign in or on the demised premises within thirty (30) days prior to termination of the lease.


(d) Limitation On Liability:


(1) Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord who sells the premises is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this article for events occurring subsequent to notice to the tenant that the sale has occurred. However, he remains liable to the tenant for any property and money to which the tenant is entitled under this article and all unpaid rent unless the tenant receives notice that such property, money and prepaid rent have been transferred to the buyer, and that the buyer has accepted liability for such property, money and prepaid rent.


(2) Unless otherwise agreed, the manager of the premises is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this article for events occurring after notice to the tenant of the termination of his management.


(e) Receipts: Upon request of the tenant, a landlord must provide a written receipt for any payment made (i.e., rent, security deposits, etc.). If payment is made by personal check, the canceled check shall be considered a receipt.


(Ord. 98-10, § 1, 3-9-1998; Ord. 2016-20, § 1, 5-23-2016)