New and existing residents Riverside tenants can find consolidated information about their rights, responsibilities and other useful information in the village’s latest reference guide for renters.
The two-page document outlines some of the basic responsibilities of tenants and landlords mandated by the village’s code. Landlords are required to provide a certain level of service to tenants, including providing adequate heat, maintenance and water services. According to village code, landlords must furnish heat from Sept. 15 to June 1, with minimum day temperatures for day and night times. By law, the minimum temperature during the day is 68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and 63 degrees at night from 10:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Tenants must comply will any obligations included in their lease. They must also keep the property clean and in sanitary conditions. If any repairs or improvements need to be made, tenants should cooperate with landlords.
The guide also includes information about local tools designed to protect tenants and property owners of rental housing properties. In 2021, the village implemented a rental registration program requiring all multi-unit rental properties to register annually with the village. Multi-unit rental properties are those with three or more residential units.
Registered properties are inspected once a year and individual units are inspected once in a three-year period. In these inspections, the village ensures housing complies with safety and code standards.
At the county level, the Residential Tenant Landlord ordinance sets protections for suburban Cook County renters. Among others, it prohibits landlords from locking out tenants without a proper eviction process. It also requires landlords to provide pest control services for bed bug infestations. Landlords are also protected from property destruction and non-payment.
Using the renter’s guide, residents can also find information about parking in Riverside. All vehicles housed or registered to a Riverside address must display a current vehicle sticker on the front windshield. Overnight parking in village streets or public property is prohibited, but guests can pay for parking and use the village’s parking lot at the intersection of Barrypoint and Bloomingbank Roads.
Residents must also register their pets with the village of Riverside by purchasing pet tags for dogs and cats. Registration and payment are available on the village’s website.
To read the guide, visit the village’s website. To view it in a different language, use the website’s translation features.
Residents can also download a two-page document available in English and Spanish.
