Index
Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) - Prohibition Against Retaliatory Conduct
Summary
Prevents landlords from evicting tenants in retaliation for exercising their legal rights or making legitimate complaints.
Rights & Rules
- 01.A landlord cannot evict a tenant in response to the tenant making a good-faith complaint to a government agency about housing conditions, joining a tenant's union, or exercising other legal rights.
- 02.If a landlord attempts to evict within one year of a tenant's protected action, it is presumed to be retaliatory, and the landlord must prove otherwise.
Penalties
- 01.If a court finds a landlord acted in retaliation, the tenant may recover possession of the unit, damages equal to two months' rent, and reasonable attorney's fees.
- 02.Landlords may also face fines for violations of the RLTO.
Verified Citations
Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-150 (Retaliatory Conduct Prohibited)
Source"It is unlawful for a landlord to increase rent, decrease services, bring or threaten to bring an action for possession or refuse to renew a lease or tenancy because the tenant has complained of a code violation, reported a landlord's violation, or joined a tenant's union."