DeKalb, IL Municipal Code Ch. 10 Landlord-Tenant Regulations § 10.15
Emergency Repairs
Operative Text
a) Landlords and Tenants shall comply with the Residential Tenant’s Right to Repair Act (765
ILCS 742/1, et seq.) in regard to making emergency repairs. In an emergency situation, where
the defective condition threatens the life and safety of the Tenant, the Tenant may have the
necessary repair made, but only after engaging in reasonably diligent attempts to notify the
Landlord. Such attempts should be simultaneously documented and reasonable attempts to
notify shall include in person at office, telephone, electronic communication, or a written note
to the Landlord when the office is closed.
b) Upon presentation of a paid bill by Tenant to Landlord for emergency repair, the Landlord
shall reimburse the Tenant within thirty (30) days for reasonable expenses. It is presumed that
expenses of contractors listed on an approved list by Landlord are reasonable. A Tenant may
not repair at the Landlord’s expense if the condition was caused by the deliberate or negligent
act or omission of the Tenant, a member of his/her family, or any other person on the premises
with his consent.DeKalb Municipal Code Ch. 10 § 10.15 establishes a framework for emergency repairs in rental housing, drawing on the Illinois Residential Tenant's Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/1, et seq.). When a defective condition poses an immediate threat to life and safety, a tenant is permitted to arrange for necessary repairs after making reasonably diligent, documented attempts to reach the landlord. Once the repair is completed and a paid bill is presented, the landlord has 30 days to reimburse the tenant for reasonable expenses—unless the tenant, a household member, or a permitted guest caused the condition through deliberate or negligent action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under DeKalb Municipal Code Ch. 10 § 10.15, compliant property operators typically maintain clear, accessible contact channels—such as an office address, phone number, and electronic communication option—so tenants can reach them quickly in emergencies. Operators generally keep an approved contractor list, since expenses from contractors on that list are presumed reasonable under the provision, which can simplify reimbursement disputes. When a tenant presents a paid bill for a qualifying emergency repair, operators are expected to process reimbursement within the 30-day window stated in § 10.15, and to document any basis for disputing whether the condition was caused by tenant negligence or deliberate action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
DeKalb Municipal Code Ch. 10 § 10.15, read alongside the Illinois Residential Tenant's Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742/1, et seq.), gives tenants a right to arrange emergency repairs when a defect threatens life or safety and the landlord cannot be reached in time. Tenants who pursue this path are expected to document every notification attempt—whether made in person, by phone, by electronic message, or by written note—before having the work done, and to submit a paid bill to the landlord within the framework the provision describes. Tenants who believe a landlord has wrongfully refused reimbursement may consider consulting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing complaint options available through the City of DeKalb to understand how § 10.15 might apply to 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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