Fox Lake CHAPTER 2 HOUSING REGULATIONS § 6-2-7-12
NO WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY
Operative Text
The issuance of a certificate of compliance shall not be construed as a warranty of habitability of the dwelling unit or any guarantee to the certificate holder or any occupant of the rental dwelling that the rental dwelling is free from all violations of all applicable property maintenance laws, ordinances, or regulations. Nothing in this section 6-2-7 shall be construed as creating a duty or obligation of the village or its code official or agents and employees to any individual certificate holder or occupant of or visitor to a rental dwelling. (Ord. 2016-07, 2-9-2016)
Section 6-2-7-12 of Fox Lake's housing regulations clarifies that when the village issues a certificate of compliance for a rental dwelling, that certificate does not serve as a guarantee that the unit meets all habitability standards or is free of every code violation. The provision also makes clear that nothing in section 6-2-7 creates any legal duty or obligation on the part of the village, its code official, or their agents toward individual certificate holders, occupants, or visitors. In short, the certificate is an administrative document, not a warranty of the property's condition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fox Lake § 6-2-7-12, property owners and managers should understand that obtaining a certificate of compliance does not relieve them of their independent obligations to maintain rental dwellings in accordance with applicable property maintenance laws, ordinances, and regulations. Compliant operators typically conduct ongoing inspections and address maintenance issues proactively, rather than treating a certificate as a final sign-off on the property's condition. Holding a certificate under section 6-2-7 does not shift liability for habitability defects away from the property owner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fox Lake § 6-2-7-12 means that a landlord's possession of a certificate of compliance is not a representation to occupants that the rental unit is fully code-compliant or habitable. Tenants who believe their unit has habitability or maintenance deficiencies may have separate rights under Illinois landlord-tenant law and local ordinances that exist independently of the village's certificate program. General enforcement paths can include contacting the village's code enforcement office, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring remedies available under state law.
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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