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Evanston’s updated tenant law expands protections for students moving off campus
Summary
Evanston’s Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance was updated effective Jan. 1, 2025. The changes add disclosure requirements, cap certain fees, strengthen anti-retaliation and anti-lockout protections (including Internet), and set new notice and deposit rules students should know when renting off campus.
Evanston updated its Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) effective Jan. 1, 2025, adding disclosures, fee limits and stronger tenant protections that city staff and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization outlined in a webinar for students.
"The RLTO was updated on 01/01/2025," Philip Devon, staff attorney at the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, said during the presentation. Devon described the ordinance as "essentially the tenant's bill of rights in Evanston" and said the changes align the city with recent Cook County and Chicago updates while adding locally tailored protections.
The most concrete changes students should note concern fees and deposits. Devon explained that late fees are capped: landlords may charge up to $25 for the first $1,600 in monthly rent and 5% of any amount above that. "So, for example, if the rent is $2,000 a month, they can charge $25 plus 5% of $400, which is $20, for a total of $45," he said.…
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