Creating Your Draft Step 1: Just the facts You can enter the facts related to the legal issue in any form you choose: full narrative, clauses, bullet points... it's flexible!
Facts(Required) Please provide the important facts and details related to the client's legal issue that they want to address in their communication to their landlord.
Step 2: Communication tweaking Feel free to set the tone, style and format to your liking.
Letter Tone(Required) Format(Required) Letter Style(Required) Step 3: Communication selection Select the type of communication that best suits the issue at hand. You may also set objectives from our list, or add your own! For example: If a tenant wishes to withhold rent, then select other to choose the dollar amount.
Letter Type(Required) Objective(s) - Chicago RLTO(Required) Objective(s) - Eviction Notices(Required) Objective(s) - General(Required) Optional Objective(s) - Chicago RLTO (Health and Safety / Essential Services) Step 4: Review the law Review the law associated with your communication to help ensure quality output.
5-12-110 Tenant remedies.
In addition to any remedies provided under federal law, a tenant shall have the remedies specified in this section under the circumstances herein set forth.
For purposes of this section, material noncompliance with Section 5-12-070 shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following circumstances:
Failure to maintain the structural integrity of the building or structure or parts thereof;
Failure to maintain floors in compliance with the safe load-bearing requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to comply with applicable requirements of the municipal code for the number, width, construction, location or accessibility of exits;
Failure to maintain exit, stairway, fire escape or directional signs where required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide smoke alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire alarm systems, automatic fire detectors or fire extinguishers where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain elevators in compliance with applicable provisions of the municipal code;
Failure to provide or maintain in good working order a flush water closet, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower, or kitchen sink;
Failure to maintain heating facilities or gas-fired appliances in compliance with the requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to provide heat or hot water in such amounts and at such levels and times as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide hot and cold running water as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate hall or stairway lighting as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain the foundation, exterior walls or exterior roof in sound condition and repair, substantially watertight and protected against rodents;
Failure to maintain floors, interior walls or ceilings in sound condition and good repair;
Failure to maintain windows, exterior doors or basement hatchways in sound condition and repair and substantially tight and to provide locks or security devices as required by the municipal code, including deadlatch locks, deadbolt locks, sash or ventilation locks, and front door windows or peepholes;
Failure to supply screens where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain stairways or porches in safe condition and sound repair;
Failure to maintain the basement or cellar in a safe and sanitary condition;
Failure to maintain facilities, equipment or chimneys in safe and sound working condition;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water;
Failure to exterminate insects, rodents or other pests;
Failure to supply or maintain facilities for refuse disposal;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of garbage, trash, refuse or debris as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate light or ventilation as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain plumbing facilities, piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances in good operating condition and repair;
Failure to provide or maintain electrical systems, circuits, receptacles and devices as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain and repair any equipment which the landlord supplies or is required to supply; or
Failure to maintain the dwelling unit and common areas in a fit and habitable condition.
(a) Noncompliance by Landlord. If there is material noncompliance by the landlord with a rental agreement or with Section 5-12-070 either of which renders the premises not reasonably fit and habitable, the tenant under the rental agreement may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and/or omissions constituting the material noncompliance and specifying that the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 14 days after receipt of the notice by the landlord, unless the material noncompliance is remedied by the landlord within the time period specified in the notice. If the material noncompliance is not remedied within the time period so specified in the notice, the rental agreement shall terminate, and the tenant shall deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the landlord within 30 days after the expiration of the time period specified in the notice. If possession shall not be so delivered, then the tenant's notice shall be deemed withdrawn and the lease shall remain in full force and effect. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all prepaid rent, security and interest recoverable by the tenant under Section 5-12-080 .
5-12-110 Tenant remedies.
In addition to any remedies provided under federal law, a tenant shall have the remedies specified in this section under the circumstances herein set forth.
For purposes of this section, material noncompliance with Section 5-12-070 shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following circumstances:
Failure to maintain the structural integrity of the building or structure or parts thereof;
Failure to maintain floors in compliance with the safe load-bearing requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to comply with applicable requirements of the municipal code for the number, width, construction, location or accessibility of exits;
Failure to maintain exit, stairway, fire escape or directional signs where required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide smoke alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire alarm systems, automatic fire detectors or fire extinguishers where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain elevators in compliance with applicable provisions of the municipal code;
Failure to provide or maintain in good working order a flush water closet, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower, or kitchen sink;
Failure to maintain heating facilities or gas-fired appliances in compliance with the requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to provide heat or hot water in such amounts and at such levels and times as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide hot and cold running water as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate hall or stairway lighting as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain the foundation, exterior walls or exterior roof in sound condition and repair, substantially watertight and protected against rodents;
Failure to maintain floors, interior walls or ceilings in sound condition and good repair;
Failure to maintain windows, exterior doors or basement hatchways in sound condition and repair and substantially tight and to provide locks or security devices as required by the municipal code, including deadlatch locks, deadbolt locks, sash or ventilation locks, and front door windows or peepholes;
Failure to supply screens where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain stairways or porches in safe condition and sound repair;
Failure to maintain the basement or cellar in a safe and sanitary condition;
Failure to maintain facilities, equipment or chimneys in safe and sound working condition;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water;
Failure to exterminate insects, rodents or other pests;
Failure to supply or maintain facilities for refuse disposal;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of garbage, trash, refuse or debris as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate light or ventilation as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain plumbing facilities, piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances in good operating condition and repair;
Failure to provide or maintain electrical systems, circuits, receptacles and devices as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain and repair any equipment which the landlord supplies or is required to supply; or
Failure to maintain the dwelling unit and common areas in a fit and habitable condition.
(c) Minor Defects. If there is material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with Section 5-12-070 , and the reasonable cost of compliance does not exceed the greater of $500.00 or one-half of the monthly rent, the tenant may recover damages for the material noncompliance or may notify the landlord in writing of his intention to correct the condition at the landlord's expense; provided, however, that this subsection shall not be applicable if the reasonable cost of compliance exceeds one month's rent. If the landlord fails to correct the defect within 14 days after being notified by the tenant in writing or as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency, the tenant may have the work done in a workmanlike manner and in compliance with existing law and building regulations and, after submitting to the landlord a paid bill from an appropriate tradesman or supplier, deduct from his or her rent the amount thereof, not to exceed the limits specified by this subsection and not to exceed the reasonable price then customarily charged for such work. A tenant shall not repair at the landlord's expense if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of the tenant's family, or other person on the premises with the tenant's consent.
Before correcting a condition affecting facilities shared by more than one dwelling unit, the tenant shall notify all other affected tenants and shall cause the work to be done so as to create the least practical inconvenience to the other tenants. Nothing herein shall be deemed to grant any tenant any right to repair any common element or dwelling unit in a building subject to a condominium regime other than in accordance with the declaration and bylaws of such condominium building; provided, that the declaration and bylaws have not been created to avoid the application of this chapter.
For purposes of mechanics' lien laws, repairs performed or materials furnished pursuant to this subsection shall not be construed as having been performed or furnished pursuant to authority of or with permission of the landlord.
5-12-110 Tenant remedies.
In addition to any remedies provided under federal law, a tenant shall have the remedies specified in this section under the circumstances herein set forth.
For purposes of this section, material noncompliance with Section 5-12-070 shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following circumstances:
Failure to maintain the structural integrity of the building or structure or parts thereof;
Failure to maintain floors in compliance with the safe load-bearing requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to comply with applicable requirements of the municipal code for the number, width, construction, location or accessibility of exits;
Failure to maintain exit, stairway, fire escape or directional signs where required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide smoke alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire alarm systems, automatic fire detectors or fire extinguishers where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain elevators in compliance with applicable provisions of the municipal code;
Failure to provide or maintain in good working order a flush water closet, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower, or kitchen sink;
Failure to maintain heating facilities or gas-fired appliances in compliance with the requirements of the municipal code;
Failure to provide heat or hot water in such amounts and at such levels and times as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide hot and cold running water as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate hall or stairway lighting as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain the foundation, exterior walls or exterior roof in sound condition and repair, substantially watertight and protected against rodents;
Failure to maintain floors, interior walls or ceilings in sound condition and good repair;
Failure to maintain windows, exterior doors or basement hatchways in sound condition and repair and substantially tight and to provide locks or security devices as required by the municipal code, including deadlatch locks, deadbolt locks, sash or ventilation locks, and front door windows or peepholes;
Failure to supply screens where required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain stairways or porches in safe condition and sound repair;
Failure to maintain the basement or cellar in a safe and sanitary condition;
Failure to maintain facilities, equipment or chimneys in safe and sound working condition;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water;
Failure to exterminate insects, rodents or other pests;
Failure to supply or maintain facilities for refuse disposal;
Failure to prevent the accumulation of garbage, trash, refuse or debris as required by the municipal code;
Failure to provide adequate light or ventilation as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain plumbing facilities, piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances in good operating condition and repair;
Failure to provide or maintain electrical systems, circuits, receptacles and devices as required by the municipal code;
Failure to maintain and repair any equipment which the landlord supplies or is required to supply; or
Failure to maintain the dwelling unit and common areas in a fit and habitable condition.
(d) Failure to Maintain. If there is material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with Section 5-12-070 , the tenant may notify the landlord in writing of the tenant's intention to withhold from the monthly rent an amount which reasonably reflects the reduced value of the premises due to the material noncompliance. If the landlord fails to correct the condition within 14 days after being notified by the tenant in writing, the tenant may, during the time such failure continues, deduct from the rent the stated amount. A tenant shall not withhold rent under this subsection if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of the tenant's family, or other person on the premises with the tenant's consent.
7-28-830 Bed bug infestation – Duty to exterminate.
(a) In any rental unit in which an infestation of bed bugs is found or reasonably suspected, it is the responsibility of the landlord to:
Provide pest control services by a pest management professional until such time that no evidence of bed bugs can be found and verified; and
Maintain a written record of the pest control measures performed by the pest management professional on the rental unit. The record shall include reports and receipts prepared by the pest management professional. The record shall be maintained for three years and shall be open to inspection by authorized city personnel, including but not limited to employees of the departments of health and buildings.
(b) In any multiple rental unit building in which an infestation of bed bugs is found or reasonably suspected, it is the responsibility of the landlord to:
Provide pest control services by a pest management professional until such time that no evidence of bed bugs can be found and verified within the building or portion thereof, including the individual rental units; and
Maintain a written record of the pest control measures performed by pest management professional on the building. The record shall include reports and receipts prepared by the pest management professional. The record shall be maintained for three years and shall be open to inspection by authorized city personnel, including but not limited to employees of the departments of health and buildings.
(c) A landlord shall provide the pest control services within 10 days after:
A bed bug is found or reasonably suspected anywhere on the premises; or
Being notified in writing by a tenant of a known or reasonably suspected bed bug infestation on the premises or in the tenant's rental unit.
(d) The extermination of bed bugs shall be by:
Inspection, and if necessary, the treatment of the dwelling unit on either side of the affected dwelling unit and the unit directly above and below the affected dwelling unit. This pattern of inspection and treatment shall be continued until no further infestation is detected; or
Any other method approved by the commissioner in rules and regulations.
(e) A landlord may not knowingly terminate a tenancy, increase rent, decrease services, bring or threaten to bring a lawsuit against a tenant for possession or refuse to renew a lease or tenancy because the tenant has in good faith:
Complained of a bed bug infestation within the tenant's rental unit or the premises in which the tenant's rental unit is located to a competent governmental agency, elected representative or public official charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building, housing, health or similar code;
Complained of a bed bug infestation within the tenant's rental unit or the premises in which the tenant's rental unit is located to a community organization or the news media;
Sought the assistance of a community organization or the news media to remedy a bed bug infestation within the tenant's rental unit or the premises in which the tenant's rental unit is located;
Requested the landlord to provide pest control measures for a bed bug infestation as required by a building code, health ordinance, other regulation, or the residential rental agreement; or
Testified in any court or administrative proceeding concerning any bed bug infestation within the tenant's rental unit or the premises in which the tenant's rental unit is located.
If the landlord acts in violation of this subsection (e), the tenant has a defense in any retaliatory action against him for possession and is entitled to recover possession of the rental unit or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, may recover an amount equal to two months rent or twice the damages sustained by him, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorneys' fees. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security and interest recoverable under Section 5-12-080 and all prepaid rent. In an action by or against the tenant, if there is evidence of tenant conduct protected herein within one year prior to the alleged act of retaliation, that evidence shall create a rebuttable presumption that the landlord's conduct was retaliatory. The presumption shall not arise if the protected tenant activity was initiated after the alleged act of retaliation.
7-28-850 Tenant responsibility.
(a) Within 5 days after a tenant finds or reasonably suspects a bed bug infestation in the presence of the tenant's dwelling unit, the tenant shall notify, in writing, the landlord of any known or reasonably suspected bed bug infestation in the presence of the tenant's dwelling unit, clothing, furniture or other personal property located in the building, or of any recurring or unexplained bites, stings, irritation, or sores of the skin or body which the tenant reasonably suspects is caused by bed bugs.
(b) The tenant shall cooperate with the landlord in the control, treatment and eradication of bed bug infestation found or reasonably suspected to be, in the tenant's rental unit. As part of that cooperation, the tenant shall:
Not interfere with inspections or treatments;
After reasonable notice in writing to the tenant, grant access at reasonable times to the tenant's rental unit for purposes of bed bug infestation inspection or treatment;
Make any necessary preparations, such as cleaning, dusting or vacuuming, prior to treatment in accordance with any pest management professional's recommendations; and
Dispose of any personal property that a pest management professional has determined cannot be treated or cleaned before the treatment of the tenant's dwelling unit.
Prior to removing any personal property from the tenant's dwelling unit, safely enclose in a plastic bag any such personal property while it is being moved through any common area of the building, or stored at any other location. The personal property shall remain enclosed in a plastic bag until such time that the property is either properly disposed of or treated and no evidence of beg bug infestation can be found and verified.
(c) Prior to inspection or treatment for bed bug infestation, the landlord shall send a written notice to the tenant of the rental unit being inspected or treated, which advises the tenant of the tenant's responsibilities under this section and sets forth the specific preparations required by the tenant.
(d) This section shall not apply to any tenant of an assisted living or shared housing establishment licensed under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act if the establishment is required to provide the tenant with assistance with activities of daily living or mandatory services. In such cases, it is the duty of the establishment's license holder to ensure that all of the establishment's responsibilities under this chapter are carried out.
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- You are using this tool based on your professional expertise, complemented by your independent research and the legal resources relevant to tenants' rights and landlord-tenant relations specific to Illinois.
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