The bedbug fun is not limited exclusively to the landlords. Chicago tenants are also subject to the provisions of the ordinance. Based on what is believed to be the text of the ordinance, Section 5-12-040 of the CRLTO has been amended to indicate that:
Every tenant must:
(a) comply with all obligations imposed specifically upon tenants by provisions of the municipal code applicable to dwelling units, including section 7-28-850; (new verbiage in bold)
Prior to the enactment of the new Chicago bed bug ordinance, landlords were really only “obligated” to exterminate bedbugs when there were two or more units infested. Now, the City leaves no doubt (although we are still awaiting the final published version of the ordinance). The responsibility falls squarely on the landlord in cases where bedbugs are found or are suspected! The new provisions are found in Section 7 of the Municipal Code of Chicago (Section 7-28-810 to 900). And the penalties can be touch. The City can fine a landlord between $300 to $1000 per day for violations of the ordinance! Specifically, Section 7-28-830 (based upon the version of the ordinance that we have seen) requires that:
As part of the recently passed ordinance to address bedbugs in Chicago, the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance was amended to add a new disclosure requirement for landlords. Brand new section 5-12-101 (this is based on the proposed ordinance – we are still awaiting a copy of the officially published ordinance) institutes yet another … Read more
On June 5, 2013, in addition to passing foreclosure protections for tenants, the Chicago City Council passed a bedbug measure affecting residential landlords and tenants. The new law amends a number of sections of the Municipal Code of Chicago, including the building code and the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance. I will break the measure … Read more