Evanston staff, tenants group outline new tenant-rights ordinance and key obligations for landlords and renters

City of Evanston staff and representatives of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization on Thursday presented an overview of recent reforms to the city’s Renters’ Rights and Landlord Responsibilities Ordinance (RLTO), which the presenters said were approved in November and took effect Jan. 1.

The reforms update who the law covers, cap certain fees, set rules for security deposits, require written leases and landlord disclosures, specify landlord entry notices and times, allow limited tenant-directed repairs and rent-reduction processes after city inspections, and add protections against landlord retaliation and illegal lockouts.

The presentation was led by Ana Elizárraga, Housing and Economic Development Analyst for the City of Evanston, with Javier Ruiz and Philip Devan representing the Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO). Javier Ruiz summarized the timeline and scope: "The reforms were approved in November and went into effect Jan. 1 of this year," he said.

Who is covered and who is excluded: The presenters said the RLTO does not apply to every building or occupant. Exemptions cited included medical, geriatric, educational and religious institutions; student housing that is regulated separately; owner-occupied cooperatives; hotels and motels; units occupied by a purchaser under a contract of sale; and authorized transitional or shelter facilities. The presenters said that if a unit is excluded, the landlord must state that exclusion in the lease.

Lease and tenant responsibilities: The presenters said all covered leases must be written, list the full names of tenants and landlords and include the birthdates of all occupants. Tenants…