3 Steps to Property Rental Registration in Chicago

In unincorporated Cook County of Illinois (this excludes Chicago city limits), the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance requires property owners to register their rental properties with the city if they have more than four units and to have those properties inspected for code violations. The ordinance applies to all rental properties in the city, including apartments, houses, and condominiums. Landlords must register their properties every year and must make any necessary repairs to bring the property into compliance with city codes. The goal of the ordinance is to ensure that rental properties in unincorporated Cook County are safe and habitable for tenants.

To complete rental registration in Chicago, landlords must follow these steps:

1. Obtain a rental registration license: Property owners may apply for a rental registration license through the city of Chicago’s Department of Buildings. This can be done online or in person at the department’s offices. Landlords will need to provide information about the rental property, including the address, the number of units, and the owner’s contact information.
2. Pay the rental registration fee: Property owners must pay an annual fee to register their rental properties. The fee is based on the number of units in the property and ranges from $60 to $3,000.
3. Renew the rental registration: Landlords must renew their rental registration annually by paying the yearly fee.

If you have any further questions about rental registration in Cook County, you can contact the Department of Buildings for more information.