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Crime Free Housing FAQ's
The following are Frequently Asked Questions with answers.
1. Who does the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program pertain to? The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is intended for rental properties. Laws regarding rental properties and eviction proceedings can be complicated. Most small property owners operate their rental unit as an investment and may not have the background, information or experience that would assist them in preventing or dealing with problems on their property. The Crime Free Multi-Housing program can help you be prepared to prevent problems or be ready to quickly and effectively resolve any problems should they occur.
2. Do I need to attend a training seminar if I only rent one unit? Yes, you must attend one 4 hour seminar no matter how many units you rent.
3. Do I need to attend more than one training seminar? No, however, you must take a refresher course every 3 years.
4. If I live out of state, do I have to attend a seminar? Yes, or have a local agent attend for them.
5. If I attend a Crime Free seminar in another town, will I be required to attend a Romeoville seminar as well? Not necessarily. Please contact the Crime Free Clerks for further information at (815) 886-7215.
6. What is a Crime Free Lease Addendum and how do I get one? A Crime Free Lease Addendum is a form that you are requiredby ordinance to add to your existing lease that prohibits residents and their guests from engaging in criminal activity. This form must be signed by all your residents when they enter or renew their lease. The addendum you will use requires the approval of the Crime Free Housing Coordinator. An example will be made available during the seminar for your future use.
7. Does the ordinance require a criminal background check for rental applicants? Yes, landlords are required to do a background check for all prospective tenants that are 18 years or older. Landlords are required to turn in a notarized affidavit in place of turning in a copy of the background check.
8. Where do I go to do a background check? For Tenant Screening, most landlords recommend www.mysmartmove.com. For International Tenant Screening Information, other landlords recommend visiting www.applycheck.com
9. Will my rental license be suspended or revoked any time a crime happens? No. The Romeoville Police Department will make every effort to work with property owners to resolve problems as they arise. Owners who actively work with the police should have no concern. Owners will be notified if incidents at their property become excessive by virtue of the type and/or frequency of activity.
10. Doesn’t the ordinance promote discrimination or profiling? No. The Federal Fair Housing Act, which is discussed in the seminar, has seven protected classes relating to a person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. A person’s behavior is not protected. The Residential Rental License ordinance complies with all State and Federal laws.
11. What happens if I don’t comply with the Residential Rental License ordinance? By not complying with the ordinance, you may subject yourself to being cited by the Village. If a citation is issued, you will be required to appear in court and could be subject to fines and court costs.
12. The house is not really a rental, I just co-signed on the Loan, do I have to get a license and attend the seminar? If the person living in the house is not listed on the deed to the house, then per the Village ordinance, the house is considered a rental.
13. How do I sign up for the seminar? Click here.
14. How can I be held accountable for the actions of my tenant? A rental property, regardless of size, is in fact a business operation. Under the Residential Rental License ordinance, the Village maintains the right and responsibility to declare troublesome rental properties a nuisance.
1. Who does the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program pertain to? The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is intended for rental properties. Laws regarding rental properties and eviction proceedings can be complicated. Most small property owners operate their rental unit as an investment and may not have the background, information or experience that would assist them in preventing or dealing with problems on their property. The Crime Free Multi-Housing program can help you be prepared to prevent problems or be ready to quickly and effectively resolve any problems should they occur.
2. Do I need to attend a training seminar if I only rent one unit? Yes, you must attend one 4 hour seminar no matter how many units you rent.
3. Do I need to attend more than one training seminar? No, however, you must take a refresher course every 3 years.
4. If I live out of state, do I have to attend a seminar? Yes, or have a local agent attend for them.
5. If I attend a Crime Free seminar in another town, will I be required to attend a Romeoville seminar as well? Not necessarily. Please contact the Crime Free Clerks for further information at (815) 886-7215.
6. What is a Crime Free Lease Addendum and how do I get one? A Crime Free Lease Addendum is a form that you are requiredby ordinance to add to your existing lease that prohibits residents and their guests from engaging in criminal activity. This form must be signed by all your residents when they enter or renew their lease. The addendum you will use requires the approval of the Crime Free Housing Coordinator. An example will be made available during the seminar for your future use.
7. Does the ordinance require a criminal background check for rental applicants? Yes, landlords are required to do a background check for all prospective tenants that are 18 years or older. Landlords are required to turn in a notarized affidavit in place of turning in a copy of the background check.
8. Where do I go to do a background check? For Tenant Screening, most landlords recommend www.mysmartmove.com. For International Tenant Screening Information, other landlords recommend visiting www.applycheck.com
9. Will my rental license be suspended or revoked any time a crime happens? No. The Romeoville Police Department will make every effort to work with property owners to resolve problems as they arise. Owners who actively work with the police should have no concern. Owners will be notified if incidents at their property become excessive by virtue of the type and/or frequency of activity.
10. Doesn’t the ordinance promote discrimination or profiling? No. The Federal Fair Housing Act, which is discussed in the seminar, has seven protected classes relating to a person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. A person’s behavior is not protected. The Residential Rental License ordinance complies with all State and Federal laws.
11. What happens if I don’t comply with the Residential Rental License ordinance? By not complying with the ordinance, you may subject yourself to being cited by the Village. If a citation is issued, you will be required to appear in court and could be subject to fines and court costs.
12. The house is not really a rental, I just co-signed on the Loan, do I have to get a license and attend the seminar? If the person living in the house is not listed on the deed to the house, then per the Village ordinance, the house is considered a rental.
13. How do I sign up for the seminar? Click here.
14. How can I be held accountable for the actions of my tenant? A rental property, regardless of size, is in fact a business operation. Under the Residential Rental License ordinance, the Village maintains the right and responsibility to declare troublesome rental properties a nuisance.
