Urbana — Ch. 12.5 Landlord-Tenant Relationships § 12.5-4
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires. Actual costs means all costs incurred, which may include reasonable compensation for time spent by the landlord or the tenant. Essential services means water, heat, hot water, gas, electricity, and sanitation as required to be maintained by the minimum housing code of the city, and substantially functional cooking facilities and refrigerator, if supplied by the landlord. Firm certificate of insurance means a certificate issued by an insurance carrier which shall impose an unconditional duty upon the carrier to notify the landlord not less than ten (10) days prior to the cancellation or termination of the coverage specified therein. Good faith means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned. Housing code means any law, ordinance or governmental regulation concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance of any premises or rental unit. Landlord means the owner or lessor of the rental unit or the building of which it is a part, not including a sublessor. Owner means one (1) or more persons, jointly, severally or in common, or any organization, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to property, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgagee in possession. As used herein, an organization shall include a corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, association or any other legal or commercial entity. Rent means all payments to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement. Rental agreement means all agreements, written or oral, and valid rules and regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a rental unit and premises. Rental unit means one (1) or more rooms in a structure or portion thereof arranged, designed and used as a residence or living quarters by one (1) or more persons who maintain a household together. Tenant means a person or an organization entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a rental unit to the exclusion of others.
Section 12.5-4 of Urbana's Landlord-Tenant Relationships chapter establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 12.5. Terms such as 'landlord,' 'tenant,' 'rental unit,' 'rent,' and 'essential services' are given specific legal meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted. For example, 'essential services' covers utilities like water, heat, and electricity that must meet the city's minimum housing code, and 'good faith' is defined as basic honesty in carrying out a transaction. These definitions set the interpretive boundaries for all rights, duties, and remedies described elsewhere in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Urbana Ch. 12.5 should be familiar with the definitions in § 12.5-4, as these terms shape the scope of their obligations throughout the chapter. The definition of 'landlord,' for instance, excludes sublessors, while 'essential services' identifies the specific utilities and facilities — such as heat, hot water, and substantially functional cooking facilities — that a landlord who supplies them must maintain to minimum housing code standards. Compliant operators generally ensure that their rental agreements, as broadly defined to include both written and oral arrangements, align with the meanings these terms carry under § 12.5-4.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Urbana benefit from the clear definitions established in § 12.5-4, which underpin the protections found throughout Chapter 12.5. Understanding that 'essential services' includes water, heat, electricity, and functional cooking facilities — when supplied by the landlord — can be relevant when evaluating whether a landlord has met their obligations under the chapter. Tenants who believe their rights under Chapter 12.5 have been affected may find it useful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with how these definitions apply to specific provisions.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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