When a Chicago landlord master-meters a building and bills utilities back to tenants, MCC 5-12-100 requires written disclosure of the formula, supporting bills on request, and bans markups beyond actual cost. Hidden pass-throughs are RLTO violations.
MCC 5-12-100 obliges any landlord furnishing gas, electricity, water, or other utilities to disclose the dollar amount or pro-rata formula in writing before lease signing and to provide copies of the master utility bills on tenant request within ten business days. Charges cannot exceed the landlord's actual cost. Sub-metering must use accurate equipment under Illinois Commerce Commission Sub-Metering rules (83 Ill. Adm. Code 415). Other lease pass-throughs — for trash, snow, lawn care — must be itemized and authorized in the written lease under Illinois common law and the RLTO duty of good faith. Surprise add-ons not in the lease are unenforceable and may be retaliation under MCC 5-12-150.
Charging utilities without disclosure, marking up the master bill, or refusing to share the underlying invoice supports RLTO damages, possible ICC complaint, and one month's rent or actual damages plus attorney fees.
Chicago, IL
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See how Chicago's pass-through charges rules stack up against other locations.
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