Bellwood CHAPTER 124: LICENSING OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNITS FOR RENT § 124.12
INSPECTION UPON SALE
Operative Text
(A) No multiple-family dwelling unit, multiple-family building, or single-family dwelling unit for rent shall be sold unless the seller furnishes the buyer with a presale inspection report dated no more than 120 days prior to the date of closing and dated no later than the day of the closing on the sale of said multiple-family dwelling unit, multiple-family building, or single-family dwelling unit for rent. Said report shall be based on an inspection by the Building Official of all dwelling units and all interior and exterior common areas. The report shall state that each unit, building, or single-family dwelling unit for rent, as the case may be complies with all applicable ordinances, codes and regulations of the village or, in the alternative, list with specificity the manner in which such unit, building, or single-family dwelling unit for rent does not comply with all applicable ordinances, codes and regulations. The request for a presale inspection must be made, in writing to the Village Clerk, not less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the closing. The presale inspection fee shall be based on the number of inspector hours required to make said inspections and prepare the required report. The fee shall be $35 per hour per inspector. In the event a presale inspection report is requested and the annual inspection required by this chapter have not yet been performed for the current license year, the license fee paid for the current license year shall be credited towards the presale inspection fee. The presale inspection fee shall be paid in the office of the Village Clerk at the time of delivery of the presale inspection report. (B) An inspection made pursuant to this section satisfies the annual requirement of § 124.07 . A sale for purposes of this section includes contract sales, exchanges, conversions to condominiums and transfers of possession or control of any multiple- family dwelling unit, multiple-family building, or single-family dwelling unit for rent. Any person participating in such a sale in violation of this section, either as seller, buyer or by receipt of a sales commission, in connection therewith, shall be deemed in violation of this section and be subject to the penalties as provided for in this code. Any contract executed in violation of this section shall be voidable by the buyer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any buyer shall be responsible for complying with each and every provision of this chapter. (Ord. 03-43, passed 8-20-03; Am. Ord. 03-59, passed 11-12-03)
Under Bellwood § 124.12, any sale of a multi-family dwelling unit, multi-family building, or single-family rental unit requires a presale inspection report prepared by the Building Official before the transaction can close. The report — which must be dated no more than 120 days before closing and requested in writing at least 30 days in advance — must either confirm compliance with all applicable village ordinances and codes or specifically identify any deficiencies. Sellers, buyers, and anyone receiving a sales commission who participate in a transaction without this report can be found in violation, and any contract executed without it may be voided at the buyer's option.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners selling a covered rental property in Bellwood must plan well ahead to satisfy § 124.12: a written inspection request must reach the Village Clerk at least 30 days before the scheduled closing, and the resulting report must be no older than 120 days at the time of closing. The presale inspection fee is calculated at $35 per inspector hour, though any license fee already paid for the current year may be credited against that cost. Compliant sellers ensure the report is in hand — and the fee paid at the Village Clerk's office — before the closing date, since participation in a non-compliant sale can expose all parties, including commission recipients, to penalties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and prospective buyers of rental properties in Bellwood benefit from § 124.12 because it requires that a Building Official's inspection report documenting code compliance (or specific deficiencies) be provided before any sale closes. If a sale proceeds without this report, the provision gives the buyer the right to void the contract, providing a meaningful legal remedy. Anyone who believes a sale occurred in violation of § 124.12 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand what remedies or defenses may be available in their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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