The Chicago RLTO is a “fee-shifting” Ordinance

The RLTO gives both tenants and landlords the right to reasonable attorney fees and costs if you are the “prevailing party.” RLTO Section 5-12-180; Attorneys Fees – “Except in cases of forcible entry and detainer actions, the prevailing plaintiff in any action arising out of a landlord’s or tenant’s application of the rights or remedies […]

The Separate Summary is 2 Pages

In addition to the RLTO Summary, when you receive your rental agreement, renewal, or oral lease, you must receive an official, 2 page “Separate Summary” containing security deposit rights and listing the current and previous two (2) years security deposit interest rates in Chicago. Even if the Tenant didn’t pay a security deposit, the Separate Summary […]

The RLTO Summary is 4 Pages

When you receive your rental agreement, renewal, or oral lease, you must receive an official RLTO Summary. The official RLTO Summary is four (4) pages with the City of Chicago city seal and Rahm Emanuel’s name at the top. If you didn’t get these exact four (4) pages – you didn’t get the legal RLTO Summary. Landlords […]

No matter what you sign and agree to in writing, the RLTO trumps your rental agreement

The Chicago RLTO is your umbrella and RLTO Section 5-12-170 will ultimately serve as your means to break your lease in Chicago. Moreover, the Chicago law protects you from anything you’ve agreed to in writing. Most Chicago tenants feel that because they’ve signed something, it is enforceable against them. This is not the case! Calling a lawyer for […]

The City of Chicago has a written law that governs renter and landlord rights

Lawyer Aaron Krolik guides both tenants and landlords and will help you break your lease in Chicago should you need it. Chicago RLTO lease termination applies to condominium units, town homes, single family homes, and apartments subject to certain exclusions in Section 5-12-020. The most common exclusion is “dwelling units in owner-occupied buildings containing six […]

RLTO Section 5-12-170

When you receive your rental agreement, renewal, or oral lease, an official RLTO Summary and Separate Summary must be attached to the rental agreement. The official RLTO Summary is four (4) pages long with the City of Chicago city seal and Rahm Emanuel’s name at the top. If you didn’t get these exact four (4) pages – […]

Your Landlord Pays Fees & Costs under the Chicago RLTO

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Chicago’s Unique “Double” Security Deposit Penalty

Commingling & Payment of Interest in Chicago

Photocopies of Checks Are Not “Paid Receipts”

The First District Court of Appeals in Illinois has now stated a clearer definition of what constitutes a copy of a “paid receipt” under the Chicago RLTO Section 5-12-080(d) in their recent holding from Boyer v Buol, 2014 IL App. 132780 (1st. 4th Division, November 20, 2014). Paragraph 46: “We note initially that the Ordinance (Chicago […]