Oak Lawn's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Oak Lawn, Illinois, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rental Registration

Oak Lawn requires owners of non-owner occupied rental homes, apartments, condos, and duplexes to obtain an annual occupancy permit and code compliance report before a tenant moves in, renewed each July 1 through June 30.

Key details: Permit needed: Before tenant occupies the unit. Renewal cycle: Annual, July 1 to June 30. Late fee: $100 per unit. Max penalty: $50,000 per unit. Family exemption: Immediate family occupants exempt.

Failing to obtain the permit brings a $100 per-unit fine per section 6-5B-15; other violations of the article run $100 to $50,000 per unit, with each day a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Oak Lawn actively enforces its rental registration requirements.

Repairs & Habitability

Oak Lawn adopts the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as the controlling habitability standard for every dwelling, and non-owner occupied rentals must pass an annual Code Compliance inspection before an occupancy permit issues.

Key details: Standard adopted: Int'l Property Maintenance Code, 2018 ed.. Applies to: all non-owner occupied rentals. First inspection fee: none. Reinspection fees: $100 / $200 / $300. Enforced by: Division of Code Compliance.

Renting without a valid non-owner occupied occupancy permit is a code violation; uncorrected habitability failures after reinspection can draw a code compliance ticket, housing court action, or a 30-day vacate order.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Oak Lawn actively enforces its repairs & habitability requirements.

The Bottom Line

Oak Lawn is tougher than many cities when it comes to rental property rules. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Oak Lawn, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Oak Lawn can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.