North Chicago — Title 5 Ch. 14 Landlord Licensing § 5-14-20
NEW CONSTRUCTION:
Operative Text
Late fees shall not apply to newly constructed properties which are occupied by someone other than the owner for the first time within the calendar year.
Under North Chicago Title 5 Ch. 14 Landlord Licensing § 5-14-20, late fees are prohibited on newly constructed rental properties during the calendar year in which the property is first occupied by a non-owner tenant. This rule carves out a specific exemption for brand-new construction, meaning landlords cannot charge tenants late fees during that initial occupancy period. The restriction applies regardless of what a lease agreement might otherwise say about late charges.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of newly constructed properties in North Chicago should be aware that § 5-14-20 bars the assessment of late fees during the calendar year in which the unit is first occupied by a non-owner resident. Compliant property managers typically review their lease agreements and fee schedules to ensure no late fee provisions are applied to qualifying new-construction units during this window. Keeping clear records of a property's first occupancy date and the occupant's status as a non-owner helps demonstrate compliance with this exemption.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under North Chicago Title 5 Ch. 14 Landlord Licensing § 5-14-20, tenants who are the first non-owner occupants of a newly constructed property have a right to be free from late fees during that initial calendar year. If a landlord charges a late fee that appears to conflict with this provision, tenants may raise the exemption as a defense or file a complaint with the appropriate local authority. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help clarify whether a specific property and tenancy qualify for this protection.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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