Free Chicago RLTO Summary Disclosure
Chicago RLTO Summary disclosure required by Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 for every Chicago lease. Must use the City-prepared Summary — the 2023 final version is now effective. Failure to provide allows tenant termination on 30-day written notice plus $100 damages.
Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 requires landlords subject to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) to provide every tenant with a written copy of the official City-prepared RLTO Summary. The Summary must be attached to every written rental agreement — at initial signing AND at every renewal. For oral leases, the Summary must be given to the tenant. The City of Chicago released a final updated Summary in 2023; landlords using the prior version are at risk. Failure to provide gives the tenant the right to terminate the lease by written notice (effective up to 30 days from notice) plus $100 statutory damages.
Chicago RLTO Summary at a Glance
Statute
Chi. Mun. Code 5-12-170
Applies To
RLTO Units
Frequency
Every Lease + Renewal
Penalty
$100 + Termination
Chicago RLTO Summary Requirement
Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 requires the Department of Housing to publish a written summary of the RLTO. Landlords must attach the Summary to every written rental agreement (initial and renewal) and provide it to tenants under oral leases. Failure entitles the tenant to terminate the lease by written notice specifying a termination date no later than 30 days from the notice, plus $100 damages in any civil action.
How to Use the Chicago RLTO Summary
Identify when the disclosure is required
Identify when the disclosure is required: every Chicago lease (written or oral) governed by the RLTO. Verify the property is covered by the RLTO (owner-occupied 6-or-fewer-unit buildings are exempt, among others).
Prepare the notice
Obtain the CURRENT City-prepared RLTO Summary from chicago.gov. The 2023 final version replaced the prior summary; ensure you have the latest. The Summary is in plain language and prepared by Chicago Department of Housing.
Serve the notice
Attach the Summary to every written lease at initial signing AND at every renewal. For oral leases, give a copy to the tenant. Use this disclosure form as a transmittal acknowledgment.
Follow statutory timeline
Have tenant sign the acknowledgment confirming receipt. Retain in tenant file. Re-issue at every lease renewal — not just at initial signing.
Document the process
Monitor for Summary updates. The City of Chicago periodically revises the Summary; landlords must use the current version. Subscribe to Department of Housing notifications for changes.
Generate the Chicago Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Chicago RLTO summary disclosure. Service should comply with Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 (attached to every written lease; given for oral leases); retain proof of delivery.
Purpose of this Chicago disclosure
The RLTO Summary informs Chicago tenants of their RLTO-protected rights (security deposit interest, late-fee caps, lockout prohibition, repair-and-deduct, repair-and-withhold, jury trial right, etc.). It is a strict-liability disclosure: the tenant remedy attaches even if the landlord was unaware. Best practice: include the current 2023 Summary in every lease packet by default.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Chicago RLTO Coverage
Use the CURRENT 2023 RLTO Summary
The City of Chicago released a final updated RLTO Summary in 2023. Using the old version creates the same risk as not providing the Summary at all. Download from chicago.gov/RLTO.
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Chicago Notice
Chicago Municipal Code Section 5-12-170 requires landlords subject to the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) to provide tenants with a written copy of the City-prepared RLTO Summary. The Summary must be attached to every written rental agreement at initial signing AND at every renewal. For oral leases, the Summary must be given to the tenant. The City of Chicago Department of Housing publishes the official Summary; the current version is the 2023 Final Version, which replaced the prior summary. Using an outdated version creates the same risk as not providing the Summary at all. The RLTO covers most Chicago rental properties; common exemptions include owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units, most hotels/motels/rooming houses, dormitories, shelters, employee dwellings tied to employment, schools, and hospitals. Failure to provide entitles the tenant to terminate the lease by written notice specifying a termination date no later than 30 days from the notice plus $100 statutory damages in any civil action. Best practice: include the current Summary in every lease packet by default, obtain a signed acknowledgment, retain in the tenant file, and re-issue at every renewal.
Chicago Statutory Requirements
- Statute: Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 (RLTO summary)
- Apply to: all written and oral leases under RLTO
- Frequency: initial lease signing AND every renewal
- Form: the City-prepared Summary (current 2023 version)
- Failure to provide: tenant may terminate on written notice (max 30-day forward date) + $100 damages
- Strict liability — no defense for ignorance
Delivery Methods
- Attached to written lease at initial signing
- Attached to renewal lease at every renewal
- Given to tenant for oral leases
- Electronic delivery — with tenant consent
- Retain signed acknowledgment
Common Mistakes
- Using the OLD Summary instead of the 2023 final version
- Skipping the Summary at renewal — must be re-attached every time
- No acknowledgment of tenant receipt
- Assuming exemption without confirming
- Boilerplate substitute instead of City-prepared Summary
Best Practices
- Always use the current City-published Summary
- Bundle with every lease packet — new AND renewal
- Obtain tenant signature on receipt
- Retain in tenant file
- Verify RLTO coverage — or document exemption
- Subscribe to DoH updates — for future Summary revisions
Bottom line
Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-170 requires the City-prepared RLTO Summary at every lease signing AND renewal. Use the current 2023 final version — not the old one. Failure entitles the tenant to terminate with up to 30 days notice plus $100 statutory damages. Strict liability — ignorance is not a defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chicago RLTO Summary required?
Required for every Chicago lease (written or oral) covered by the RLTO. Must use the current City-prepared Summary (2023 final version). Required at initial lease signing and at every renewal.
What must the Summary contain?
The disclosure must include the current City-prepared RLTO Summary obtained from chicago.gov/RLTO. Use the 2023 final version. Do not substitute a boilerplate or older version.
How must the Summary be delivered?
Attach the Summary to the written lease at signing. For oral leases, give a copy to the tenant. Best practice: obtain a signed tenant acknowledgment of receipt for the tenant file. Electronic delivery is permitted with tenant consent.
What are the landlord and tenant obligations?
Landlords must provide the Summary at initial signing AND every renewal. Tenants who do not receive the Summary may terminate the lease by written notice specifying a termination date no later than 30 days from the notice. Tenants are also entitled to $100 statutory damages in any civil action.
Which properties are exempt from the RLTO?
Common exemptions: owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units; most hotels, motels, and rooming houses; dormitories, shelters; employee dwellings tied to employment; schools; hospitals. Confirm the exemption before declining to provide the Summary.
What are common mistakes?
Common mistakes include using the OLD Summary instead of the 2023 final version, skipping the Summary at lease renewal, no tenant acknowledgment, assuming exemption without confirmation, and substituting a boilerplate for the City-prepared Summary.
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