Village of Antioch
Rental Regulations

Over the past number of years, the Village of Antioch has received numerous complaints from residents about the deteriorating conditions in many of the rental units throughout the Village. To maintain the Village’s sense of place and quality of life, the Village Board directed the Village Staff to work on a rental ordinance that would ensure that the rental properties throughout the Village would be maintained and that the health and public safety of the residents who resided in these properties would be protected. Based on the Village Board’s direction, Staff and legal counsel formulated a draft ordinance, based on the rental ordinances of several surrounding communities, that would address the expressed concerns of the policy makers of the Village.

Several meetings related to this matter were held by the Village Board in the Fall of 2021 and a “Rental Ordinance” was approved by the Village Board in February 2022. Based on the ordinance, all landlords are required to submit a “Rental Housing Inspection and Certification Application” along with a $25.00 application fee. The application provides the Village for the first time with some important information:

• Legal Owner information
• Authorized manager or name of management information
• Emergency contacts
• Number of dwellings within each complex
• General information on the units, including number of bedrooms and square footage

Is an application fee owed for each rental unit?

An application fee is not required for each unit, but for each application. Each application can list the number of units within the complex. As an example, if a landlord owns a complex with 20 rental units, one application can be submitted with a list of each unit attached to the application.

How do I file a “Rental Housing Inspection and Certification Application?

Currently, paper applications are available at the Village Hall and online. The Village is currently in the process of obtaining “Permit Software” and soon these applications will be available to be completed online and the $25.00 application fee will be able to be paid online.

When is a Certificate of Compliance required?

Pursuant to the approved “Rental ordinance, an individual landlord is responsible for obtaining a “Certificate of Compliance” when they have a vacant rental unit and prior to leasing it out to tenants. Once there is a vacancy, the landlord is responsible for contacting the Community Development Department and scheduling an inspection of the vacant apartment. The fee for the inspection is $50.00. If the apartment fails the inspection, there will be a $50.00 re-inspection fee.

Can a rental unit be rented without a Certificate of Compliance?

In accordance with the “Rental Ordinance”, a landlord cannot rent out a unit until they have received a “Certificate of Compliance” from the Village. A “Certificate of Compliance” is valid for a period of two years or until the unit becomes vacant, which ever one happens first.

What will be inspected during a rental inspection?

The following checklist and items shall be inspected during the inspection. If the unit fails the inspection, a re-inspection fee must be paid prior to the inspection.

Exterior
▪ Address numbers are clearly visible on front of property
▪ Roof is safe and in good repair
▪ Free from trash & debris
▪ Foundation is safe and structurally sound

Exterior Structure & Hardscapes
▪ Driveway, access drives and parking lots are in good condition
▪ Decks, porches, and balconies are in good repair
▪ Garage in good repair
▪ Outbuildings in good condition

Vehicles on property
▪ Are operable & not in state of disassemble or disrepair
▪ Properly parked vehicles (not on grass, yard, or dirt)

Basic Health & Safety
▪ Smoke detectors are on every level and in bedrooms
▪ Carbon monoxide detectors are within 15 feet of all bedrooms
▪ Stairs are structurally sound and in good repair
▪ Handrails on all stairs (4+steps that are 30+inches high)
▪ Property is free from mold & environmental hazards
▪ Property is free from infestation

Electricity
▪ Closet light fixtures covered & have 12’’ clearance
▪ Outlets within 6 feet of any sinks are GFCI
▪ Cover plates are on all outlets& switch plates
▪ Panels are properly labeled
▪ Service is properly grounded & secure
▪ Electric in garage meets code, no open boxes or wires

Furnace, Gas & Ventilation
▪ Furnace is in good repair
▪ Gas line to furnace is constructed of approved hard pipe
▪ Has an adequate supply of combustion air
▪ Gas shutoff valve is accessible within 6 feet of appliances
▪ Chimney & flue are sound and in good repair

Plumbing & Drainage
▪ Shutoff valves & traps in good repair
▪ Sump pump is in good repair with check valve installed
▪ Gutters &downspouts are in good repair
▪ Property is free from drainage hazards

The Village will make every effort to work with the landlord community to ensure that the inspection protocols do not become a hardship on landlords. Again, the purpose of this program is to ensure that rental units are maintained and that they do not have negative impact against the public health, safety, and surrounding property values.

Staff is available to answer any questions or concerns from any owner of a rental unit in the Village of Antioch. All questions can be directed to the Community Development director, Michael S. Garrigan, AICP, CNU-A, at (847) 395-9422 or mgarrigan@antioch.il.gov.

• Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a landlord or tenant is crucial for a smooth rental experience. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office provides a comprehensive guide detailing the legal aspects of renting property in Illinois. This resource covers everything from lease agreements to security deposits and tenant protections. Click here to access the full guide on Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws.