condo rental and too many tenants

[luckymom]

Newbie on this forum and would appreciate advice.

I own a condo in Chicago six-flat. Four of the units are owner occupied. All are three-bedroom, two baths, approximately 1800 square feet. We are having a problem with one of the rentals. Because we are near a university, it is easy to get student renters. The owner in question now has 7 students living in his place and frankly the place is turning into something of a flophouse, with kids coming and going at all hours, lots of music, beer bottles all over the porch, etc. Our condo bylaws don't have any restrictions regarding renters, but I am told that the city itself may have laws about how many unrelated individuals can rent a single unit. Does anyone know about this or can you direct me on how to find out if city ordinances could help us resolve this? The owner himself is a nice guy but he is now living in Cuba and his sister who lives in another state receives the rent.

 

[HomeGuru]

Newbie on this forum and would appreciate advice.

I own a condo in Chicago six-flat. Four of the units are owner occupied. All are three-bedroom, two baths, approximately 1800 square feet. We are having a problem with one of the rentals. Because we are near a university, it is easy to get student renters. The owner in question now has 7 students living in his place and frankly the place is turning into something of a flophouse, with kids coming and going at all hours, lots of music, beer bottles all over the porch, etc. Our condo bylaws don't have any restrictions regarding renters, but I am told that the city itself may have laws about how many unrelated individuals can rent a single unit. Does anyone know about this or can you direct me on how to find out if city ordinances could help us resolve this? The owner himself is a nice guy but he is now living in Cuba and his sister who lives in another state receives the rent.

**A: and what did the local housing, building code and zoning inspector tell you when you asked?

 

[luckymom]

I have spent a good bit of time on hold and leaving messages for city employees as well as searching for the relevant ordinance. If you don't know, why bother answering? You seem to specialize in providing unhelpful advice.

 

[HomeGuru]

I have spent a good bit of time on hold and leaving messages for city employees as well as searching for the relevant ordinance. If you don't know, why bother answering? You seem to specialize in providing unhelpful advice.

**A: ok, then good luck waiting on hold again.

 

[ecmst12]

To file a complaint, you have to talk to the city anyway. These things are governed at the local level and unfortunately all local govts do not have their statutes online. That said, it took me about 30 seconds to find the zoning ordinances for Chicago. I couldn't find anything on number of residents allowed per unit but I suspect that might be addressed in your building's certificate of occupancy. This should be available from the Department of Buildings too.

 

[HomeGuru]

Are you still on hold?