Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-090
Identification of owner and agents (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
A landlord or any person authorized to enter into an oral or written rental agreement on the landlord's behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name, address, and telephone number of: (a) The owner or person authorized to manage the premises; and (b) A person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose of receiving and receipting for notices and demands. A person who enters into a rental agreement and fails to comply with the requirements of this section becomes an agent of the landlord for the purpose of (i) service of process and receiving and receipting for notices and demands and (ii) performing the obligations of the landlord under this chapter and under the rental agreement. The information required to be furnished by this section shall be kept current and this section extends to and is enforceable against any successor landlord, owner, or manager. If the landlord fails to comply with this section, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement pursuant to the notice provisions of Section 5-12-110 (a). If the landlord fails to comply with the requirements of this section after receipt of written notice pursuant to Section 5-12-110 (a), the tenant shall recover one month's rent or actual damages, whichever is greater. (Prior code § 193.1-9; Added Coun. J. 9-8-86, p. 33771; Corrected. 9-12-86, p. 33919; Amend Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-090, landlords must provide tenants with written contact information—including name, address, and phone number—for both the property manager and a designated agent authorized to receive legal notices, and this must happen at or before the start of the tenancy. If someone enters into a rental agreement without meeting these disclosure requirements, that person automatically becomes the landlord's agent for legal service and notice purposes. The required information must stay up to date and applies to any successor landlord, owner, or manager who takes over the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-090 requires that compliant operators deliver written disclosures to tenants at or before lease commencement, identifying the property manager and a designated agent for receiving legal notices and demands. Operators generally maintain current records of this contact information and update disclosures whenever ownership or management changes hands, since the obligation extends to successor landlords and managers. Failure to provide or update these disclosures can expose a landlord to a tenant's right to terminate the lease and, after written notice, a damages claim of at least one month's rent.
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 § 5-12-090 gives tenants the right to receive written contact information for the property manager and a legal-notice agent before or at the start of their tenancy. If a landlord does not provide this information, tenants may have the right to terminate the rental agreement by following the notice procedures outlined in Section 5-12-110(a), and if the landlord still fails to comply after receiving that written notice, tenants may be entitled to recover one month's rent or actual damages, whichever is greater. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or the Chicago Department of Housing to understand the general enforcement paths available to them.
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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