The purpose of this article is to establish a scheme of regulations designed to prevent, deter and sanction criminal and quasi-criminal activities occurring on or within rental housing in the City of Hometown. The provisions of this article shall not apply to housing for older persons as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 3607, group homes governed by the Specialized Living Centers Act, 405 ILCS 25/1 et seq., or other similar uses governed by state or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
For the purposes of this article, the following terms are hereby defined:
ABSENTEE LANDLORD
A landlord who does not reside or maintain its principal place of business in Cook County, Illinois, or a landlord who does reside or has its principal place of business in Cook County but is regularly absent from Cook County, Illinois, for a period of 60 days or more in a calendar year.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The Building Commissioner of the City of Hometown or his/her designee.
COMMON AREA
Any area in a building that is not within a dwelling unit and is or may be used by a tenant or occupant of a dwelling unit located within that building.
CRIMINAL ACT(IVITY)
Any act or omission identified as a petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony under the laws of the State of Illinois.
DWELLING UNIT
Any part of a building used as a residence or sleeping place by one or more persons in consideration for the payment of rental income.
LANDLORD
Any owner (i.e., person, trustee, corporation, partnership, association, membership, cooperative, or business entity) of a dwelling unit possessed by a tenant in consideration for the payment of rental income.
LEASE AGREEMENT
Any lease or rental agreement containing the terms of occupancy of a dwelling unit by a tenant.
OWNER
The person or entity that holds legal title to the real property, except: (1) if legal title is held by a land trust, owner shall mean the beneficial owner or owners of the land trust; and (2) if there is a purchaser or purchasers under a real estate installment sales contract, owner shall mean the purchaser or purchasers.
PERMANENT OCCUPANCY
The occupancy of a dwelling unit for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
The Chapter 21, Building Code, of the Municipal Code of Hometown.
QUASI-CRIMINAL ACT(IVITY)
Any act or omission identified as a violation of the Municipal Code of Hometown.
RENTAL HOUSING
Any real estate, including a condominium unit, containing one or more dwelling units occupied by a tenant for which rental income is paid.
RENTAL INCOME
Any monetary rent or other consideration exchanged for or in connection with the use or occupancy of a dwelling unit.
RENTAL MANAGER
A person, who is not the owner of property, who receives compensation for managing rental housing.
TENANT
A person occupying a dwelling unit pursuant to a lease agreement.
TENANT LIST
A list of all dwelling units licensed or to be licensed, the name of the tenant as it appears on the lease agreement, the number of occupants residing in the dwelling unit, and the names and ages of the occupants of the dwelling unit.