Residential Rental License

Program Overview 

In effort to maintain the community, the Village Board adopted a Crime Free Housing Program that now requires any persons who are engaged in the business of renting dwelling units to the public be licensed and the business be subject to regulations for the health, safety and welfare of the community.  

Residential Rental License (RRL) 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.

Seminar Required

All persons applying for a Residential Rental license and all persons administering, managing or controlling the operation of any rental dwelling unit must attend and complete a Crime-Free Housing Seminar, administered by the South Chicago Heights Police Department within ninety (90) days prior to issuance of the license.  he Crime Free Housing Program seminar addresses these topics:  

 Property Monitoring and Inspections

Under this program every residential rental property is required to be inspected annually to obtain an Residential Rental License. Once entered into the program, police, building inspector and landlords/managers will assess the physical security and the general appearance of the rental property to help deter criminal activity. The Building Inspector will inspect each dwelling unit(s) and common area(s) for any violations as it relates to applicable laws and code regulations.  After each inspection, the owner will be provided with an inspection report describing any violation.  The property owner shall correct any such violation condition within thirty (30) days from the date of inspection report.  Failure to correct said conditions may result in a suspension or revocation of Residential Rental License. Here is a list of code regulations an inspector looks for.  Inspection Checklist.

Term of License, Renewal, and Fees

A Residential Rental license shall be issued for a period of one-year effective May 1 to April 30, unless otherwise specifically provided, and the full license fee shall be paid.  All licenses shall expire on April 30 next after issuance, unless previously revoked.  Renewal of a Residential Rental license shall be made prior to the expiration date.  Any application for renewal not made prior to the expiration of the existing license shall be subject to a $50.00 per month late fee.

The annual license fee for a Residential Rental license is $125.00 per owner plus $75.00 per unit.  Neither the sale of a property, nor the suspension or revocation of a license, shall entitle an property owner to a refund of any license fee. 

Transfer of RRL Prohibited

No license shall be transferable.  Each new owner of a rental dwelling unit must obtain a new license.  Such license shall be applied for and obtained prior to a new owner closing on the purchase and sale of a rental dwelling unit.  Failure to apply for a new license by a subsequent owner shall result in the revocation of the current license.