Bedbug Letter

This letter can be used when a tenant has reason to believe that there are bedbugs present in their unit. A landlord’s responsibility to treat bedbug infestation is part of the Chicago Municipal Code separate from the RLTO, and as such applies to all Chicago rentals, even ones in owner-occupied buildings of 6 units or fewer. However, tenants not covered by the RLTO are limited in their recourse to reporting the issue to the landlord and to 311 and hoping that the threat of fines imposed by the city will force the landlord to take action. For these tenants, the last clause of the letter giving notice about potential rent-reduction should be removed. For tenants who are covered by the RLTO, that clause should be included, and will serve the same function (and have the same limitations) as the 14 day notice provided in the Repair and Reduction letter.