(a) (1) No later than 21 days after a person becomes the owner of a foreclosed rental property, the owner shall make a good faith effort to ascertain the identities and addresses of all occupants of the rental units in the foreclosed rental property and notify, in writing, all occupants of such rental units that, under certain circumstances, the occupants may be eligible for relocation assistance. The notice shall be given in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), English, Filipino, Hindi, Korean, Polish and Spanish and be as follows:
"This Is Not A Notice To Vacate The Premises. You may wish to contact a lawyer or your local legal aid or housing counseling agency to discuss any right that you may have.
Pursuant to the City of Chicago's Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance, if you are a qualified tenant you may be eligible for relocation assistance in the amount of $10,600 unless the owner negotiates in good faith for a new rental agreement, offers you a new rental agreement, and you accept the offer, in writing, for a new rental agreement. You May Reject The Offer Of A New Rental Agreement And Still Receive $10,600 In Relocation Assistance.
If you are eligible as a qualified tenant and the owner fails to pay you the relocation assistance that is due, you may bring a private cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking compliance with the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance, Chapter 5-14 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, and the prevailing plaintiff shall be entitled to recover, in addition to any other remedy available, his damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
You may go to the City of Chicago Department of Housing's website for additional information regarding your rights and obligations under the Ordinance or phone the City of Chicago's 311 Service Center to file a complaint."
The notice shall also include the name, address, and telephone number of the owner, property manager, or owner's agent who is responsible for the foreclosed rental property and the date the notice was sent.
(2) If the owner ascertains the identity of an occupant more than 21 days after becoming the owner, the owner shall provide the notice within seven days of ascertaining the identity of the occupant.
(3) The written notice required by this section shall be served by:
(A) delivering a copy of the notice to the occupant;
(B) leaving a copy of the notice with some person of the age of 13 years or older who is residing in the occupant's rental unit; or
(C) sending a copy of the notice by first class or certified mail, return receipt requested, to each occupant, addressed to the occupant.
(b) The owner shall attach to each notice required by subsection (a) a Tenant Information Disclosure Form, in a form prescribed by rule. No later than 21 days after the receipt of the notice, the occupant may complete and return the Tenant Information Disclosure Form to the person and address indicated on the Form. The failure of an occupant to return the Tenant Information Disclosure Form does not relieve the owner of any obligation to either: (i) extend or renew the tenant's rental agreement, or provide a rental agreement for a replacement rental unit, whichever is applicable; or (ii) pay the relocation assistance fee.
(c) In addition to the notice required in subsection (a), no later than 21 days after a person becomes the owner of a foreclosed rental property, the owner shall post a written notice on the primary entrance of each foreclosed rental property which sets forth the disclosures in subsection (a).
(d) Any owner who fails to comply with this section shall not collect rent due and owning from any occupant until the owner has served the notices required by this section.
(Added Coun. J. 7-21-21, p. 32835, § 2)