Welcome to the Chicago Rents Program at All Chicago Making Homelessness History! In partnership with the Chicago Continuum of Care, Chicago Rents connects landlords to tenants through multiple housing subsidy programs, allowing property partners to receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support. Our programmatic offerings include:
- Rapid Rehousing Programs: Offers connections to a housing subsidy program that provides short term housing support, provides tenant case management, landlord risk mitigation fund, and rental payments
- CoC Housing Identification (CHI): Offers connection to various housing subsidy programs that range from short term to long term housing support and assist tenants with case management, rental payments and support when issues arise.
In most cases, landlords may list their units with multiple programs at once. Our Chicago Rents team closely work with our property partners to ensure units are leased. Property partners may list any number of units as desired.
Below you can find more information about the rules, regulations, and processes of our programs. There is also an FAQ section at the bottom of the page if you have any further questions.
If you would like to find more information, you can reach out to Chicago Rents at chicagorents@allchicago.org.
If you’re interested in joining the program, click the button below and complete the survey.
How We List Your Unit
Landlords provide their assigned Landlord Engagement Coordinator (LLEC) with key info about the vacant unit(s), such as # of bedrooms, rent, whether they include utilities, W9, photos, and an application link. The LLEC ensures rent meets rent reasonableness and fair market rent standards. We encourage landlords to not base acceptance on credit report or previous evictions since the program pays for the rent.
How Your Unit is Selected
The Landlord Engagement Coordinator (LLEC) adds the unit to the HIVE platform, where participants and case managers can review available housing options and select a unit that meets the participant’s needs. Units may also be selected during Accelerated Moving Events (AMEs), where participants, case managers, attend an event to select housing on the spot. If you have questions about AMEs or would like to attend, feel free to reach out to your assigned LLEC.
Application Process
The landlord receives an application from the participant and responds within 48 business hours to confirm whether the application is accepted. They schedule a viewing with the participant and case manager, and the case manager lets the landlord know within 24 business hours if the participant is still interested.
Inspection Process
The Landlord Engagement Coordinator (LLEC) reaches out to schedule an inspection within 24 business hours of the unit being viewed and chosen by the participant. The landlord responds within 48 business hours, and the inspection is conducted either virtually via Property Inspect or in-person with the LLEC. A lease cannot be signed until an inspection by the LLEC passes.
The landlord uses the Property Inspect app in the case of a virtual inspection. You can download the app from the appropriate app store, and learn how to use the app through the links below.
The LLEC sends a pre-inspection checklist for landlords to complete in the case of an in-person inspection.
An annual inspection is conducted between the 10th and 12th month of the lease. This will also be done either virtually or in-person.
Lease & Move-in Process
- The participant signs the lease for the unit, and you will be the one providing the primary lease. All Chicago also has a Combined Leasing Packet (CLP) that our Rapid Re-Housing team will share with you during the leasing process.
- No, the participant cannot move into the unit prior to inspection. This is because we must inspect every unit prior to move-in per funding requirements.
- Inspections are scheduled after the participant has viewed the unit and has expressed that they would like to move forward with the unit. Once a date and time are agreed upon (between LLEC and LL) an inspection can be scheduled and should be completed within 48 hours after scheduling.
- Once the inspection passes and the lease documents are provided, verified, and signed, the participant will be allowed to receive keys.
- For each participant, the standard lease time is 12 months, however time in the program can be extended up to 12 additional months.
City and State Regulations
City of Chicago: Chicago Heat Ordinance
The Heat Ordinance requires that during designated cold weather months landlords supply heat to apartments where occupants do not have individual control of the heat (individual heating equipment). The Heat Ordinance also requires that landlords keep individual heating equipment within houses or individual apartments in good operating condition. Tenants with individual heating equipment may be required to pay the associated utility bills.
Chicago Landlord and Tenant Ordinance
In Chicago, the legal rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants are covered in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO).
Approved in 1986 and amended over the years, the RLTO’s purpose is “to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens” and “to encourage the landlord and the tenant to maintain and improve the quality of housing” citywide.
The ordinance covers most rental properties located in Chicago except units in owner-occupied buildings with six units or less; most units in hotels, motels and rooming houses; dormitories, shelters, employee’s quarters, and non-residential rental properties; and owner-occupied co-ops.
Senate Bill 1563 (SB 1563) taking effect January 1, 2026 makes it easier for property owners to remove squatters by allowing police to act on trespassing complaints, clarifying squatters aren’t tenants, and bypassing lengthy eviction court processes when owners prove ownership and trespass.
FAQ’s
Program Overview
- What does LLEC stand for and what do they do?
- LLEC stands for Landlord Engagement Coordinator. This staff member works for All Chicago and liaises between the landlord and the case management team. They support funding requests, and are the direct contact for all requests, needs, and support.
- How long does the program last?
- For each participant, the standard lease time is 12 months, however time in the program can be extended up to 12 additional months.
Program Length
- What does LLEC stand for and what do they do?
- LLEC stands for Landlord Engagement Coordinator. This staff member works for All Chicago and liaises between the landlord and the case management team. They support funding requests, and are the direct contact for all requests, needs, and support.
- How long does the program last?
- For each participant, the standard lease time is 12 months, however time in the program can be extended up to 12 additional months.
Payment Timeline
When should I expect rental payments?
All first-time payments for new tenants are processed via mail within 30 days of moving in.
What should I do if my check is missing?
Please allow until the 15th for delivery. Missing payments are only processed after the 15th of the month. Contact your Landlord Engagement Coordinator for assistance after the 15th.
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
If you would like to sign up for direct deposit, please reach out to AvidXchange directly by emailing supplier@avidxchange.com or calling 704-971-8170 ext. 2 and explaining your request.
Ongoing Program Support
The Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund covers damages above “wear and tear” up to $1,000. Pictures and invoices are required to obtain any funds.
Unit and Participant Considerations
- Can the unit be listed if it is still occupied?
- No, the unit must be unoccupied and move-in ready.
- What are annual inspections?
- Annual Inspections, depending on the funding source, require that inspections happen either in person or virtually within the 11th month of the participant living in the unit. You will be notified by the LLEC regarding the date and time of the inspection. The inspection must be completed by the 12th month prior to the lease expiration date.
- What is considered everyday wear and tear in a unit?
- Every day “wear and tear” are damages that are not participant related due to misuse of the unit. For example: chipped paint, scuffed doors, loose fixtures.
- Who pays for damages to the unit?
- All Chicago will pay for damages above everyday “wear and tear” up to $1000. We also require that phones and invoices are emailed / sent to the Landlord Engagement Coordinator prior to approving payments for damages.
Lease and Participant Considerations
- Is the landlord notified if a participant moves out of the unit?
- Yes, the landlord is given a 30-day or 60-day notice when the participant is leaving the unit before the end of the lease. We also offer a 1-month vacancy, if / when appropriate.
- Can the participant remain in the unit after the lease has ended?
- Yes, the lease reverts month to month, and in many instances the participants can take the lease over themselves as a tenant, independent of the program.
Finances
- Who pays the application fees?
- All Chicago pays the application fees on its participants’ behalf.
- When is the first month’s rent, security deposit and / or move-in fee distributed?
- Funds are disbursed after the lease signing; this generally takes 2 weeks. All Security Deposits are returned to the participant as per Chicago Ordinance within 45 days of move out. You should always reach out to AVID if you have not received your check and then reach out to the LLEC.
- Are incentives offered to all Landlords?
- Incentives may be offered to a landlord on a case-by-case basis. All units may not qualify, and incentives are not recurring or guaranteed.
- How do I set up auto pay?
- You must reach out to AVID after you receive your first check to set up ACH (Automated Clearing House).
- Who is responsible for utilities?
- Unless otherwise stated in the lease, the participant is responsible for having all utilities in their name.
Administrative & Contact Information
- Is the landlord notified if a participant moves out of the unit?
- Yes, the landlord is given a 30-day or 60-day notice when the participant is leaving the unit before the end of the lease. We also offer a 1-month vacancy, if / when appropriate.
- Can the participant remain in the unit after the lease has ended?
- Yes, the lease reverts month to month, and in many instances the participants can take the lease over themselves as a tenant, independent of the program.
