Exceptions to the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance

If you live in Chicago, the Chicago RLTO governs your tenancy unless you reside in:

  • An owner occupied building containing less than seven apartments;
  • A hotel, motel, inn, rooming house, or boarding house (unless you have resided there for more than 31 days and pay rent on a monthly basis); or
  • A hospital, convent, monastery, school dormitory,temporary overnight or transitional shelter, cooperative, or
  • A building owned by your employer (assuming your right to live there is conditioned upon you being employed in or around the building).

This information does not apply if you live outside of the City of Chicago or if one of the above conditions apply.