Landlord from hell (Chicago: hardwood floors, apartments, tenant)

[angelbird551]

Hi there,

I'm new to the site and I'm glad I found it!

I have just had way too many problems with my landlord, but today was the last straw. They keep allowing large families into these one bedroom apartments. A family with 3 kids moved in downstairs; it is like listening to a herd of elephants. I gave up a long time ago calling/emailing my slumlord. My janitor was sympathetic but all he does is shrug his shoulders..."What I do, I no owner!"

Hours of research came up inconclusive regarding maximum occupancy ordinances for either Illinois or Chicago. All I could find was that it was 'suggested' two people per bedroom but not the law. Does anyone know for sure? I want to get them on this once and for all. Would love to move but lost my job

[Venom]

That's how we lived.

[andrew61]

Hmm... Seems like we just covered this very topic a few months ago. There are maximum occupancy limits in Chicago, but if I recall, it goes by square footage rather than number of bedrooms, and the laws are surprisingly lax... I don't recall exactly, but I think it's something like maximum one person per every 100 square feet (or something in that ballpark)... which would mean that in a typical 700SF one-bedroom apartment, it's possible up to seven people could live in the unit legally.

Bottom line: There might not be much of anything you can do about it, except move.

[surlycue]

Andrew is right. I believe the guidelines are 1 person per 100 square feet of living space (so it must be indoor/cannot include balcony space).

This is why I like 2 and 3 flats. You can only have a couple sets of idiot neighbors.

[j33]

I'm glad that for that period when I lived in an apartment when I was a kid with my 2 siblings and my parents, our neighbors liked us (although it was a 2 bedroom, not a 1 bedroom).

[emathias]

Originally Posted by surlycue

Andrew is right. I believe the guidelines are 1 person per 100 square feet of living space (so it must be indoor/cannot include balcony space).
...

Sweet! I'm getting myself 10 roommates!

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by emathias

Sweet! I'm getting myself 10 roommates!

two words: Bunk Beds.

[snoylekim]

saves on heat, too ...

Get used to it ...as the economy rumbles along, you'll see more 'housing consolidation' w/ families and such ( totally unsupported prediction, just a gut) ...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Hmm... Seems like we just covered this very topic a few months ago. There are maximum occupancy limits in Chicago...

Yep. (5/22/09) Right here:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...view-east.html

[angelbird551]

Thanks everyone for the info, and Angelfire for the above link. It was interesting to see that discussion turn into issues of racism and individual's tolerance of noise. I guess I am not so tolerant of noise, which is why I chose a top floor, end unit. But I walk quietly because hardwood floors echo noise and I don't slam doors/cabinets. I just expect the same respect from the neighbors! And I also expect the landlord to enforce the peace which they never do.