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House & Apartment

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Tenants' rights and rental housing

Learn about tenants' rights from rental applications and security deposits to repairs, pest control, and utilities.

Legal duties of my landlord
Landlords have responsibilities for the building and units they rent.
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Public utility service basics
Defines public utilities, explains that services must be provided equally and fairly, and gives information on resolving issues.
Guide
Reasons a utility company may shut off service
Explains that utility companies must give you a 10 day notice before shutting off service and must have a good reason.
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Basics of public utilities during the winter
Explains the guidelines that public utility companies must follow during the winter or heating season between December 1 and the following March 31, for general consumers.
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Unhealthy living conditions in my neighborhood
This article describes what is an unhealthy living condition and what you can do to fix the situation
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Utilities for tenants
(1 resources)
Improper use or utility tap
Tell the public utilities company if your bill seems high and you think someone else has been using your utilities.
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Rental living conditions
(8 resources)
My landlord doesn't make repairs. What should I do?
Includes repair and deduct and withholding rent.
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Reporting building code violations in Chicago
How to report concerns about the interior or exterior of a Chicago building, and the two types of cases that can be made against building owners.
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Rental repair letter
A program to make a letter to ask a landlord to repair your apartment or house.
Easy Form
Can my landlord force me to move to make repairs or renovations?
A landlord cannot force a tenant to move to make repairs or renovations during their lease. Learn about tenant protections and lease renewal considerations in this situation.
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Can I have my landlord test for lead paint?
Describes Illinois law regarding lead paint in homes
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Can my landlord start a no smoking policy after I move in?
Explains that a landlord can enforce a no smoking or no pets rule, but they must do it in a certain way.
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Renter's insurance FAQ
Frequently asked questions on this frequently overlooked form of insurance.
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Dealing with pests in rental housing
Learn about how to deal with bugs, rodents, and other pests in a rental home. The landlord and tenant can work together to prevent, inspect, and treat pest problems.
FAQ
Finding rental housing
(1 resources)
Applying for housing basics
Clarify private housing applications and lease requirements, and discover safety tips for finding legitimate rentals.
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Security deposits and fees
(8 resources)
Getting or returning a security deposit
How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.
Guide
Security deposit demand letter
A program to help you demand that your former landlord return your security deposit.
Easy Form
Paying interest on security deposits
Explains when a landlord has to pay security deposit interest and how much to pay.
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Getting back a security deposit
Explains steps to get your security deposit back, including writing a demand letter.
How-To
Security deposit complaint
A program to help you sue to get your security deposit back.
Easy Form
Deposit to hold an apartment
Describes what happens if you put a deposit down to hold an apartment.
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Starting a case to get a security deposit back
Steps to get a security deposit back by going to court from the forms you need to how the court hearing works.
How-To
Getting my security deposit back if the property is sold
Explains what happens to your security if your landlord sells the property.
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