Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-040
Tenant responsibilities (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
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 ;* * Editor's note - Per Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 55787, § 6, the text of paragraph (a) reading "...including Section 7-28-850" becomes effective on 12-2-13. (b) Keep that part of the premises that he occupies and uses as safe as the condition of the premises permits; (c) Dispose of all ashes, rubbish, garbage and other waste from his dwelling unit in a clean and safe manner; (d) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits; (e) Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, in the premises; (f) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person on the premises with his consent to do so; and (g) Conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises. (Prior code § 193.1-4; Added Coun. J. 9-8-86, p. 33771; Amend Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 55787, § 3)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-040 sets out a list of baseline responsibilities that every tenant in a covered dwelling unit must meet. These include keeping occupied spaces reasonably safe and clean, properly disposing of waste, maintaining plumbing fixtures, using building systems and appliances in a reasonable way, and refraining from damaging the property. Tenants are also responsible for ensuring that guests they allow onto the premises behave in ways that do not disturb neighbors' peaceful enjoyment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-040, landlords operating rental properties in Chicago can point to this provision when documenting tenant conduct that falls below the stated standards. Compliant operators typically keep records of any damage, waste-disposal violations, or disturbance complaints that may be attributable to a tenant or the tenant's guests. Such documentation can be relevant when addressing lease violations or pursuing remedies available elsewhere in Chapter 5-12.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-040 outlines the conduct obligations placed on tenants, including keeping the unit safe, disposing of waste properly, avoiding damage to the premises, and not disturbing neighbors. Tenants should be aware that a landlord may cite this provision when alleging a lease violation, and understanding its scope can be important when evaluating any such claim. Tenants who have questions about whether a landlord's allegation is well-founded may consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or the Chicago Department of Housing for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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