What's the minimum association size you manage?

We work with associations from 12 to 250 units. Our sweet spot is 12–250+ units, where the operational complexity justifies senior-level management. For associations under 12 units, we refer to specialist firms better suited to that scale.

How does your Finance-Only tier work?

Finance-Only is a productized tier for self-managing boards that need professional financial oversight. It includes dues collection, AR/AP, monthly financial statements, board portal access, annual budget preparation, and 1099 prep. Operations remain with your board. It is a clean entry point with a clear upgrade path to Full-Service.

How do you handle the transition from our current management company?

We handle the entire transition — document collection, financial cutover, vendor introductions, and resident notification. Most transitions complete in 30–60 days with zero gap in service. Your board does not manage the transition; we do.

What credentials does your team hold?

Our senior property managers hold Illinois real estate licenses. We are active members of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Our team participates in ongoing education on Illinois condo law, the Chicago RLTO, and reserve study methodology.

How quickly will we hear back when we contact you?

Every inbound communication receives a substantive response within 4 business hours — not an auto-reply, a real answer from a real person. For after-hours emergencies, our 24/7 line is staffed by Angel, our receptionist, with immediate escalation to the on-call team.

What does Maintenance-Only service include?

Maintenance-Only includes 24/7 inbound tenant maintenance calls, work order dispatch, vendor coordination, repair documentation, and owner notifications. You keep control of leasing, rent collection, and tenant relationships. It is designed for self-managing landlords who want to eliminate the maintenance burden without giving up full control.

Do I have to pay management fees if my unit is vacant?

No. Our Full-Service rental management fees are based on collected rent. If a unit is vacant and not generating rent, you do not pay a management fee for that unit. We align our incentives with yours.

How quickly do you respond to tenant maintenance requests?

Angel handles all inbound maintenance calls 24/7. Routine requests are dispatched within one business day. Emergency requests — no heat, flooding, gas leak — are escalated immediately to the on-call team and our sister company, My Handyman Chicago.

What does your free rental analysis include?

A market-driven rental estimate for any Chicago property — comparable units currently on the market, recent lease comps, neighborhood trend data, and our recommendations on pricing and positioning. No sales call required. We send a written report, not a verbal estimate.

How is Altus different from other Chicago property managers?

Three things: we serve both associations and rental owners under one roof with equally deep expertise; we have a tiered service model (Finance-Only, Maintenance-Only) that no competitor offers in productized form; and our sister company, My Handyman Chicago, gives every client access to integrated maintenance without vendor markups. We are also investor-led — our principals own investment property, so we manage yours the way we manage ours.

What can a landlord legally check when screening tenants in Illinois?

Illinois landlords may check: credit history, criminal background (with limitations under Chicago's RLTO), rental history and references, income and employment verification, and eviction history. Landlords must comply with the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Chicago adds additional protected classes including source of income, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Can a Chicago landlord deny a tenant based on criminal history?

Chicago's RLTO and the City's Fair Chance Housing Ordinance (effective 2022) significantly restrict how landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening. Landlords may not ask about criminal history on a rental application. If a landlord intends to deny a tenant based on criminal history, they must conduct an individualized assessment considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Blanket criminal history bans are prohibited in Chicago.

What income-to-rent ratio should a Chicago landlord require?

Most Chicago landlords require tenants to have a gross monthly income of 2.5× to 3× the monthly rent. For example, for a $1,500/month apartment, the tenant should earn $3,750–$4,500/month gross. This is a guideline, not a legal requirement. Landlords must apply income requirements consistently to all applicants to avoid fair housing violations.

Can a Chicago landlord reject a tenant based on source of income?

No. Chicago's RLTO prohibits discrimination based on source of income, which includes housing vouchers (Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher program). A landlord may not refuse to rent to a tenant solely because they use a housing voucher. The landlord may still apply standard screening criteria (income, credit, rental history) as long as they are applied consistently.

How much can a Chicago landlord charge for a rental application fee?

Illinois law does not cap rental application fees statewide. However, Chicago's RLTO requires that application fees be reasonable and reflect the actual cost of screening. Many landlords charge $30–$75. The landlord must provide the applicant with a copy of the screening report if the application is denied based on the report.

What should be included in a tenant screening criteria document?

A written tenant screening criteria document should include: minimum income requirements, credit score thresholds, rental history requirements (no evictions within X years), employment verification requirements, criminal history policy (consistent with Chicago Fair Chance ordinance), and any other objective criteria. Providing this document to all applicants upfront demonstrates consistent, non-discriminatory screening practices.

How long does tenant screening take in Chicago?

A thorough tenant screening typically takes 2–5 business days. Credit and background checks are usually returned within 24–48 hours. Rental history verification (contacting previous landlords) and employment verification may take 1–3 additional business days. Professional property managers like Altus can often complete screening faster due to established relationships with screening providers.

Landlord Guide · Updated 2026

How to Screen Tenants in Chicago: A Legal Landlord's Guide

Chicago has some of the most tenant-protective screening laws in the country. Here is an 8-step process for finding great tenants while staying fully compliant with the RLTO and Fair Chance ordinance.

Chicago-specific rules apply: Chicago landlords face additional requirements beyond Illinois state law, including the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance (ban-the-box), source of income protections, and RLTO screening standards. Violations can result in fair housing complaints, lawsuits, and significant financial penalties.

Chicago Tenant Screening: What's Different

Fair Chance Ordinance

No criminal history questions on applications. Background checks only after a conditional offer.

Source of Income

Cannot reject tenants solely for using housing vouchers (Section 8).

Expanded Protected Classes

Chicago adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income to federal fair housing protections.

The 8-Step Chicago Tenant Screening Process

Establish Written Screening Criteria

Before advertising the unit, create a written document outlining your minimum screening criteria: income requirements, credit standards, rental history requirements, and criminal history policy. Apply these criteria consistently to every applicant.

Pro tip: Keep a copy of the criteria and document when you provided it to each applicant. This protects you in fair housing disputes.

Advertise Legally

Write rental ads that describe the property and its features — not the type of tenant you want. Avoid language that implies a preference for or against any protected class (e.g., 'perfect for young professionals,' 'quiet building,' 'no kids').

Pro tip: Describe the property, not the ideal tenant. 'Spacious 2BR near CTA' is fine. 'Ideal for a couple' is not.

Accept Applications — No Criminal History Questions

In Chicago, your rental application may NOT ask about criminal history. Collect: full name, current and previous addresses, employment and income information, and references. Charge a reasonable application fee ($30–$75) that reflects actual screening costs.

Pro tip: Use a standardized application form for all applicants. Never ask about criminal history at the application stage in Chicago.

Verify Income and Employment

Request 2–3 months of recent pay stubs, a current employment verification letter, or 2 years of tax returns for self-employed applicants. Confirm that gross monthly income meets your 2.5×–3× rent requirement.

Pro tip: For self-employed applicants, bank statements and tax returns are more reliable than pay stubs.

Run Credit and Eviction Checks

Use a reputable tenant screening service (TransUnion SmartMove, Buildium, AppFolio, etc.) to pull a credit report and eviction history. Review for: payment history, outstanding collections, prior evictions, and debt-to-income indicators.

Pro tip: A credit score alone is not sufficient. Review the full report — a tenant with a 620 score and no evictions may be a better risk than one with a 680 score and multiple collections.

Contact Previous Landlords

Call or email the applicant's previous landlords (not just the current one — current landlords may give a good reference to get rid of a problem tenant). Ask: Did they pay on time? Did they give proper notice? Would you rent to them again? Were there any lease violations?

Pro tip: Be skeptical of references that are too brief or too glowing. Ask open-ended questions.

Make a Conditional Offer (Then Run Criminal Check if Applicable)

In Chicago, you may only run a criminal background check after making a conditional offer of tenancy. If the check reveals disqualifying information, you must provide the applicant with the report, a written explanation, and an opportunity to respond before making a final decision.

Pro tip: Document every step of this process. If the applicant disputes the denial, you need a paper trail showing you followed the Fair Chance ordinance.

Make a Decision and Document It

Approve or deny the application in writing, citing the specific criteria that were or were not met. If denying based on a consumer report, provide the applicant with the required adverse action notice under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Pro tip: Keep all application materials, screening reports, and decision documentation for at least 3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let Altus Handle Tenant Screening for You

Tenant screening is one of the most legally complex parts of being a Chicago landlord. Altus Property Partners manages the entire leasing and screening process — legally, consistently, and efficiently.

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