Mascoutah — Ch. 13 Fair Housing Code § 13-1-4
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purposes of this Code: Dwelling means any building or structure, or portion thereof, within the city which is arranged, designed or used as a home, residence or living quarters of one or more individuals. Housing includes any building or structure, or portion thereof, within the city, which is used or occupied or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as the home, residence or living quarters of one or more individuals, groups or families, and includes any vacant land within the city which is zoned and intended to be used for the construction of any such building or structure. Lease includes sublease, assignment, and rent (or rental), and includes any contract to do any of the foregoing. Lending institution means any bank, insurance company, savings and loan association, other person in the business of lending money or guaranteeing loans, any person in the business of obtaining, arranging or negotiating loans or guarantees as agent or broker, and any person in the business of buying or selling loans or instruments for the payment of money which are secured by title to a security interest in real estate, but shall not include any religious institution or organization nor any charitable or educational organization operated, supervised or controlled by a religious institution or organization. National origin includes the national origin of an ancestor. Owner means any person who holds legal or equitable title to, or owns any beneficial interest in, any dwelling or housing, or who holds legal or equitable title to shares of, or holds any beneficial interest in, any real estate cooperative which owns any dwelling or housing. Person includes one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, legal representatives, mutual companies, unincorporated organizations, trusts, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and fiduciaries. Purchase includes any contract to purchase. Real estate agent means any real estate broker, and real estate salesman, and any other person who, as employee or agent or otherwise, engages in the management or operation of any dwelling or housing. Real estate broker means any person licensed as a real estate broker in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, or required thereby to be so licensed. (See 225 ILCS Sec. 455/1 et seq.) Real estate salesman means any person licensed as a real estate salesman in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, or required thereby to be so licensed. Real estate transaction" means the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of any dwelling or housing, and an option to do any of the foregoing. Sale includes any contract to sell, exchange, or to convey, transfer or assign legal or equitable title to or a beneficial interest in real estate.
Mascoutah Ch. 13 Fair Housing Code § 13-1-4 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's Fair Housing Code. It defines key terms — such as "dwelling," "housing," "owner," "lease," "sale," and "real estate transaction" — broadly to capture a wide range of residential properties, parties, and arrangements. For example, "housing" extends beyond existing structures to include vacant land zoned for residential construction, and "lease" encompasses subleases, assignments, and rental contracts. These definitions set the interpretive boundaries for all other provisions in the Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Mascoutah should be aware that § 13-1-4 defines "owner" broadly to include anyone holding legal, equitable, or beneficial title to a dwelling or housing — meaning obligations under the Fair Housing Code can apply to a wide range of ownership arrangements, including cooperative interests. The term "real estate agent" similarly covers employees, brokers, and others involved in managing or operating residential properties, so operators who delegate management functions may still fall within the Code's scope. Compliant operators generally ensure that anyone acting on their behalf in leasing, selling, or managing residential property understands that these broad definitions extend the Code's reach throughout the transaction chain.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Mascoutah Ch. 13 Fair Housing Code § 13-1-4, the definitions of "dwelling," "housing," and "lease" are written broadly, meaning protections under the Code can apply to a wide variety of living arrangements — including subleases and assignments — and to a range of parties involved in a housing transaction. The expansive definition of "owner" means that fair housing obligations may attach to multiple parties in a single transaction, not just the primary titleholder. Tenants who believe a fair housing concern has arisen may find it useful to review how these definitions apply to their situation by consulting a tenant-rights organization or a local fair housing agency familiar with Mascoutah's Code.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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