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Residential Rental Property
- I’m a property owner and want to rent my home?
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In accordance with a Crime-Free Housing Program Ordinance 2019-14, any property not occupied by legal owner is considered a rental dwelling and requires a Residential Rental License. Upon request, a copy of the Crime-Free Program Ordinance can be provided.
- Notify the Building Department at 708-755-1880 ext. 112
- Complete the Residential License Application (PDF).
- Review the Inspection Checklist (PDF). The checklist is comprised of the compliance codes that will be reviewed during the inspection. A Compliance Inspection is required. After inspection, owner will be provided with a non-compliance report listing violations.
- Ownership documents and payment must be provided to the Building Department before you can schedule a Compliance Inspection. inspection includes 1st & final and expires 90 days from initial inspection date.
It is your responsibility to read through both the Ordinance and Checklist. Should you have any questions please see the Building Department Clerk.
- What do I do after a rental inspection is done?
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You must comply with all violations to rent your home within 90 days of inspection. Once repairs have been completed you will need to call the Building Department to schedule a final inspection. If final inspection receives a “Pass” on all violations, the village will issue a Compliance Permit.
The owner/landlord must sign an affidavit stating that he or she will watch a Crime-Free video (a link will be provided) and payment for the Residential Rental License. It is the owner’s responsibility to watch the seminar.
The license year is May 1st to April 30th and must be renewed unless the owner sells property. An annual health and safety inspection is required.
- What do I do about the water service for a rental property?
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- After property is complaint, the current owner can request a final water bill and pass this utility billing obligation onto the tenant for the term of their lease.
- No final is necessary if owner wishes to remain on the water account.
- Starting water service requires a deposit. A deposit is required for both owner and tenant.
- Please keep in mind that as the owner of the property, you will remain obligated to any unpaid balance your tenant leaves.
Residential Rental Property Overview
On December 2, 2019, the South Chicago Heights Village Board passed a Crime Free Housing Program Ordinance. The program was first developed in Mesa, Arizona in 1992 to assist tenants, owners and managers of rental properties in keeping drugs and other criminal activity away from their rental properties. If you place your property on the rental list for the first time, you must complete an inspection, attend the seminar and apply for the license correct all code violations before a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
Certificate of Compliance Rental Application (PDF)
Rental Compliance Checklist (PDF)
Crime Free Housing Ordinance (PDF)
How it Works
The Crime Free Housing Program is a unique two-phase certification program for rental properties of all sizes, including single family rental homes. The first phase is the completion of a seminar taught by police and building personnel. The program is designed to be easily implemented, yet extremely effective at reducing criminal activity in rental properties.
Seminar Required
The Crime Free Housing Program seminar addresses these topics:
- Understanding Crime Prevention
- C.P.T.E.D. Concepts (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
- Annual Inspection requirements
- Community Rules
- Combating Crime Problems
- Dealing with Non-Compliance
Residential Rental License Required
On May 1, 2020, and thereafter, no person, corporation or business entity, condominium, townhouse or homeowners’ association shall engage in the business of renting any dwelling unit to the public, operating a rental dwelling or dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit, unless a valid Residential Rental License has been issued by the Village Clerk for the specific location. A dwelling unit may not be rented and no new lease may be entered into and no lease may be rented until a license is secured pursuant to this section or while a license is suspended or revoked.
Crime Free Lease Addendum
The ordinance allows and explains the requirement to implement a Crime Free Lease Addendum (PDF) for rental properties as well as allows for screening potential tenants for a history of illegal behavior.
Annual Rental Inspections of Property
No owner, agent or person in charge of a one-family, two-family, multiple family dwelling unit or structure, or commercial/industrial structure shall allow any person to occupy the same as a tenant or lessee unless said unit or structure shall have been inspected once during each year in which the multiple-dwelling unit or structure was occupied and determined to be in compliance with all health and building laws and code of the village as evidenced by a Certificate of Compliance issued by the Building Director.
All landlords will be notified by mail prior to their required annual rental inspection due date. The annual rental inspection program begins in April and ends in September. Ordinance 2021-15 Amending Chapter 14 as is Relates to Inspections