Legal duties of my landlord (2024)

A landlord must maintain the rental unit. They should schedule a walkthrough with a tenant every few months. In the walkthrough they should make sure the plumbing is not leaking, the exits are not blocked, there are no rodents or insects, the roof does not leak, floorboards are not rotting, paint is not peeling, and plaster is not loose. They should also make sure lights in common areas are working.

The landlord must also provide the following:

• A fire extinguisher on each floor if the building is more than three stories,
• Garbage facilities,
• Screens up to the 5th floor between April 15 and November 15,
• A deadbolt lock and peephole or other viewing devices on each apartment door,
• At least one smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector for each apartment and interior stairwell, and
• Heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, and plumbing.

These requirements do not include Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and Mount Prospect. See more onrenters'rights in Cook County.

In Chicago, between September 15th and June 1st, the temperature must be at least:

• 65 degrees between 7:30 AMand 8:30AM,
• 68 degrees between 8:30AMand 10:30 PM, and
• 63 degrees between 10:30PMand 7:30AM.

In Cook County, between September 15th and June 1st, the temperature must be at least:

• 68 degrees between 8:30AMand 10:30 PM, and
• 66 degrees between 10:30PMand 8:30AM.

In Oak Park, between September 15th and May 15th, the temperature must be at least:

• 68 degrees between 6:30AMand 11 PM, and
• 65 degrees between 11PMand 6:30AM.

Other areas outside of Cook County may have different temperature requirements, or no specific temperature range. Typically requirements are included in your county's building or maintenance code. For more information, visit your county's website.

Tenants are responsible for keeping working batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

All landlords are required to inform tenants of any lead hazards.

Punishing a tenant for complaining

Landlords cannot raise the rent or retaliate in any other way because a tenant complained about a building or health code violation. Landlords also cannot evict a tenant because the tenant asked them to make repairs, joined a tenants' organization, or acted on any legal right or remedy. This is called a retaliatory eviction, and it's illegal.

What a tenant can do if a landlord does not make repairs

For more information on what to do if your landlord does not make repairs view our 14-day demand letter to the landlord.