This page sets forth your rights under Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, a set of local laws that provides you with many important protections. If you live in Chicago, the Ordinance governs your tenancy unless you reside in:
An owner occupied building containing less than seven apartments;
A hotel, motel, inn, rooming house, or boarding house (unless you
have resided there for more than 31 days and pay rent on a monthly
basis); or
A hospital, convent, monastery, school dormitory,temporary overnight or transitional shelter, cooperative, or
A building owned by your employer (assuming your right to live
there is conditioned upon you being employed in or around the building).
This information does not apply if you live outside of the City of Chicago or if one of the above conditions apply.
Problems with your landlord or housing in Chicago?
Call our free Tenants' Rights Hotline: 773-292-4988
Open Monday thru Friday, 1-5pm
Contact Us
Metropolitan Tenants
Organization 2150 South Canalport Suite 2-B2 Chicago, IL 60608