Urbana — Ch. 12.5 Landlord-Tenant Relationships § 12.5-24
Landlord remedies for tenant's failure to maintain
Operative Text
(a) If a tenant, through the tenant's own actions or those of an invitee, causes a landlord to be cited for a housing code violation by the building official or fails to correct any condition constituting a cited housing code violation as set forth in this article within the time specified in a duly served notice to correct such housing code violation by the building official, the landlord affected by the condition may notify the tenant in writing of the landlord's intention to correct the condition at the tenant's expense. If the tenant, after receipt of such notice by the landlord, fails to correct the condition within the time specified for the performance of any act required by the notice of the building official or any duly granted extension thereof, the landlord may enter the rental unit, after providing twenty-four (24) hours advance notice, and have the work done in a competent manner and submit to the tenant an itemized invoice for the actual cost and for reasonable charges for the landlord's service, payable on the next date periodic rent is due, or if the rental agreement has terminated, payable immediately. (b) If a tenant, through the tenant's own actions or those of an invitee, causes a landlord to be cited for any housing code violation: (1) More than three (3) times during any twelve-month period; or (2) Involving essential services; or (3) Giving rise to a condition which materially and immediately affects the health and safety of others residing in or having access to the premises; the landlord cited for the condition may, in the alternative to the remedies set forth herein, terminate the rental agreement and order the tenant to vacate the premises. When the tenant is ordered to vacate pursuant to this section, the landlord may recover all rent accrued prior to the termination of the rental agreement, and apply any damage or security deposit to damages to the premises.
Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-24 addresses situations where a tenant's own conduct—or the conduct of someone the tenant invited onto the property—results in a housing code citation against the landlord. Under this rule, the landlord may, after proper written notice, enter the unit with 24 hours' advance notice to fix the problem and bill the tenant for the actual and reasonable costs. If the violations are serious, repeated (more than three times in a twelve-month period), or involve essential services, the landlord may instead terminate the tenancy and require the tenant to vacate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12.5-24, operators who receive a housing code citation attributable to a tenant's or invitee's actions generally document the violation, provide written notice of intent to correct at the tenant's expense, and allow the tenant the time specified in the building official's notice to remedy the condition before entering the unit with 24 hours' advance notice. Compliant landlords keep itemized records of any repair costs and submit invoices payable on the next rent due date. When violations meet the thresholds in subsection (b)—such as three or more citations in twelve months, essential-services violations, or immediate health-and-safety hazards—landlords operating under § 12.5-24 may pursue lease termination as an alternative remedy and may apply security or damage deposits toward any resulting damages.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12.5-24 makes clear that tenants bear responsibility when their own actions or those of their guests cause a landlord to receive a housing code citation, and that landlords have defined remedies in those circumstances. Tenants who receive a written notice under this provision should be aware that they have a window of time—set by the building official's notice—to correct the condition before the landlord may enter and charge repair costs. Tenants who believe a citation or termination notice under § 12.5-24 was issued improperly may wish to review the building official's records, contact the City of Urbana, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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