📋 Chicago RLTO Summary Disclosure
Required Lease Attachment – Municipal Code 5-12-170
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 requires landlords to attach a summary of the RLTO to every written lease. Failure to provide this summary means you CANNOT enforce certain lease provisions including late fees, security deposit forfeiture, and lease renewal terms.
🚨 Penalty for Non-Compliance: If you fail to attach the RLTO summary, the tenant may recover one month’s rent PLUS the tenant can void provisions of the lease that conflict with the RLTO. This is NOT optional for Chicago landlords.
🏠 Property Information
🏢 Landlord Information
👤 Tenant Information
📅 Lease Information
⚖️ Key RLTO Provisions Summary
Security Deposit Rules (5-12-080)
Late Fees (5-12-140)
Fair Notice Requirements (5-12-130)
Landlord Entry (5-12-050)
✅ Landlord Certification
📌 As the landlord, I certify that:
📝 Tenant Acknowledgment
As the tenant, I acknowledge that:
✍️ Signatures
Landlord
Tenant
What is the Chicago RLTO?
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is a city law that provides significant protections for Chicago renters and establishes requirements for landlords. It applies to most residential rental properties in Chicago, with limited exceptions for owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units.
Who Must Comply with the RLTO?
The RLTO applies to:
- All residential rental properties in Chicago
- Buildings of any size (with limited exceptions)
- Both professional landlords and individual property owners
Exemptions: Owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units are exempt from most RLTO provisions, but not all.
Required RLTO Summary Attachment
Under Municipal Code 5-12-170, every Chicago landlord must:
- Attach a summary of the RLTO to every written lease
- Provide the summary before lease signing
- Keep proof that the summary was provided
⚠️ Consequence of Non-Compliance: If you fail to attach the RLTO summary, the tenant can recover one month’s rent AND can void lease provisions that conflict with the RLTO, including late fee provisions and security deposit forfeiture clauses.
Key RLTO Provisions
Security Deposit Rules (5-12-080)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Amount | 1.5 months rent |
| Account Type | Federally insured interest-bearing |
| Interest Payment | Annually, within 30 days of lease anniversary |
| Return Deadline | 30 days after move-out |
| Penalty for Violation | 2x deposit amount plus interest |
Fair Notice Requirements (5-12-130)
| Tenancy Length | Required Notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 30 days |
| 6 months to 3 years | 60 days |
| Over 3 years | 120 days |
Late Fee Limits (5-12-140)
- Grace period: Minimum 5 days after due date
- Maximum fee: $10/month for first $500 of rent
- Additional: 5% of rent amount over $500
- Example: $1,500 rent = $10 + (5% × $1,000) = $60 max late fee
Penalties for RLTO Violations
- Security Deposit Violations: 2x deposit amount plus interest
- Failure to Provide RLTO Summary: 1 month’s rent
- Lockout Violations: 2 months rent plus attorney fees
- Utility Shutoff Violations: 2 months rent
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer
This form is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The RLTO may be amended. Always verify current Chicago Municipal Code requirements and consult with an attorney for specific legal questions.
