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Crime Free Rental Housing Program

The Tinley Park Crime Free Rental Housing Program, designed to help residents, owners and managers of rental units keep drugs and other illegal activity off their properties, has been under way in the Village since April 2009. The program requires landlords to: 
 
  • Obtain an annual business license under the program
  • Attend a training seminar conducted by Village staff
  • Add the Crime Free Housing Lease Addendum on their tenants’ leases
The program is a nationally recognized, effective way to reduce crime in rental properties. It utilizes a unique, three-part approach which ensures the crime prevention goal while maintaining a resident-friendly approach. This program covers all residential rental units, including apartments, single-family homes, individual condominiums and townhomes. The program includes:

  • Phase One: This involves a mandatory four-hour seminar presented to landlords and property managers by the Tinley Park Police and Fire departments.
  • Phase Two: This optional phase certifies that rental property has met the security requirements for the residents’ safety.
  • Phase Three: An optional resident crime prevention meeting will be conducted for full certification. A “safety social” also is offered in which all residents are invited to meet with the police and discuss the program.
The program's training for landlords and managers focuses on:
 
Prevention and Applicant Screening

  • How code compliance (preparing the property) can protect landlord rights
  • Benefits of applicant screening
  • Tips to strengthen rental agreements
  • How to become a proactive manager
  • Maintaining a fire safe environment
  • Developing life and safety awareness
Drug Nuisance Awareness

  • Warning signs of drug activity
  • Actions to take if a resident or resident's guests are conducting illegal activities on the property
  • Role of the police
  • Crisis resolution and the abatement process
When drug criminals and other destructive residents operate out of rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. The Tinley Park Crime Free Rental Housing Program is designed to enhance the safety for rental property tenants, managers, landlords, the surrounding neighborhood and the entire community. The Crime Free Rental Housing Program is required under Village ordinance 2008-0-008. This ordinance was revised under ordinance 2012-0-033. The Village added a new amendment to this ordinance on June 2, 2020.

Register online for a Crime Free Rental Housing Program class.

For more information, contact program coordinator Douglas Alba at (708) 444-5342 or dalba@tinleypark.org.

Landlord Forms
The below forms are being provided as a convenience only. It is best to consult with an attorney prior to taking any legal action. 
Smoke-free housing is legal, profitable and easy!
The Cook County Department of Public Health’s Healthy HotSpot program is working to advance smoke-free protections in multi-unit housing throughout suburban Cook County. Smoke-free housing is good for health and good for business and can save as much as six times the cost when turning over a unit. Healthy HotSpot can provide free technical assistance, including help with sample lease language, resident surveys, smoke-free signage, smoking cessation resources and fact sheets. Learn more about smoke-free housing at www.healthyhotspot.org or contact Aesha Binion at abinion@cookcountyhhs.org or (708) 633-8342.

Cannabis now legal in Illinois
Provided below is a checklist to make not only your property smoke-free, but also cannabis smoke-free in relation to the newly passed law legalizing cannabis.

Cook County Just Housing Ordinance

The Cook County Board recently enacted the Just Housing Ordinance. This is a new protocol that limits the authority and decision-making ability of landlords/property managers when applying criminal conviction background history of their potential tenants in the screening process. The Village recommends that landlords and property managers consult with their attorneys and work with a screening company familiar with this ordinance.

Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance
In 2021, Cook County passed the RTLO Ordinance for landlords. See the links below to view the ordinance and see a summary sheet provided by Cook County.

Law
As a property owner, it is your responsibility to educate yourself on any and all laws regarding rental properties. The information provided here should be considered a beginning to your research. Read Ordinance 13-O-26 for more information.

Changing/Re-Keying Locks
Be aware that a state law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012 regarding changing or re-keying locks on units in certain buildings. Click here to read the law. 

New Illinois Statute
Effective January 1, 2023, no landlord can discriminate against any applicant based solely on if they have a Housing Choice Voucher. This is a State-wide statute.
Recertification for Single-Family Property Owners
As of January 1, 2023, all property owners/managers previously certified in 2019 must re-certify their properties. First read the online refresher presentation and then continue to the recertification test. Only do so if you have previously attended a Crime Free Rental Housing Class. Please put your full name and rental address in the “full name” box
 before taking the test. Use access code: cfh2024.