Landlord Responsibilities

Management entities of rental units are required to follow the provisions of Chapter 13 of the Village Code, which includes the Human Rights and Fair Housing provisions. These local laws give the right for all people to live wherever they choose, to have access to housing via purchase, sale, lease or rent and to enjoy the full use of their homes without unlawful discrimination, interference, coercion, threats or intimidation by owners, landlords, real estate agents or any other persons. Consider these tips to comply with fair housing regulations:

• Learn about fair housing laws
• Train staff and agents to follow the laws
• Have written policies and practices and following them consistently
• Apply policies and practices consistently
• Keeping good records to document actions
• Attend diversity training sessions
• Challenge stereotypes

Discrimination in housing includes refusing to rent for a reason relating to a protected class of persons, setting different terms, conditions, or privileges; engaging in steering; refusing to provide reasonable accommodations or modifications for a disabled person; refusing to modify a no-pet policy if pet is service or support animal; making statements that indicate a preference; or not having staff trained in the latest tools used to communicate by people with hearing/visual impairments. Examples of unlawful discrimination include, but are not limited to the following:

• Demanding higher rent amounts and security deposits
• Differential treatment such as with repairs and lease violation notices
• Sexual or other harassment
• Allowing tenant-on-tenant harassment

Housing providers must make reasonable modifications or accommodations for persons with disabilities in rules, policies, practices and services. The landlord is responsible for the cost of the changes if federal money is received. Otherwise, the tenant is responsible for costs of modifications. When the cost is to be borne by the tenant, the landlord may require payment in advance into an escrow account. Examples of reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to the following:

• Adding support bars to bathroom walls
• Removing doors
• Changing a sink to accommodate a wheelchair
• Adding an exterior ramp
• Changing parking rules/spot assignment
• Designating a different way to get mail or pay rent
• Changing rent due date
• Allowing for service pets

Federal fair housing laws require landlords to make exceptions to no-pet policies for a service dog or emotional support animal. A landlord cannot refuse to rent or discriminate in terms, conditions or privileges if a person with a disability needs a dog or support animal. A separate pet deposit may not be charged, but the tenant remains responsible for any property damage caused by the animal, as well as for its care, maintenance and supervision.

All existing oral and written leases remain valid when a property is sold. New landlords cannot evict any tenant unless a valid lease violation has occurred or the term of the original lease is up. New owners cannot force tenants to sign a new lease or pay a different rent. The new owner must notify the tenants in writing within 10 days of the purchase. The old landlord must give the new landlord copies of all leases, security deposits with interest, records of rent payments and any documents related to the tenants. Both old and new landlords are responsible for the current tenants’ security deposits.