According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 37 percent of REALTORS® own a secondary property. An even greater number of REALTORS® are involved in property management or count landlords, investors or property managers among their clients. The resources below will help REALTORS® who are involved in rental leasing.  

In a recent legal update, Legal Hotline Attorney, Anneliese Fierstos answers a frequently asked question: Can I be a REALTOR® and a property manager “on the side?”

• Leasing/Property Management FAQs 

Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO)  

• Member Resource Guide 
• RTLO: What does it mean? 
• Cook County RTLO Summary, Full Ordinance and FAQs
• Cook County Residential Lease (Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®)

Cook County Just Housing Amendment (JHA) 

• Podcast and Member FAQs 
• Cook County JHA Summary, Full Ordinance, Sample Notices and FAQs 

Source of Income Protections 

• Member FAQs about Section 8 and Cook County’s Source of Income Protections for Tenants 
• City of Naperville’s Source of Income Protections 

More Information

• Municipal Inspection Programs – includes comprehensive list of municipal rental inspection programs.  
• Criminal History-Based Practices and Policies
• Service or Emotional Support Animals
• Crime Free Ordinances 
• COVID-19 Information and Resources for Property Managers and Housing Providers 
• Fair Housing 

Despite growing consumer demand for residential rentals, housing providers are faced with persistent threats and stubborn misconceptions. Take action to help stop harmful regulations and policies: 

• Sign up for the REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts: Text message to alert you on the most critical issues and allow you to email your elected officials in just a few clicks. Text the word “REALTORS” to the number 30644.
• Real Property Alliance – Consumer resources for protecting private property rights. 
• Rent Control: Learn how rent control would impact Chicago’s housing market, share fact sheets and content with your clients and consumers.  

With a growing number of rules and regulations around rental properties, more property investors and landlords are becoming REALTORS®. Illinois REALTORS® Real Estate Education offers pre-license courses to become a REALTOR® and continuing education (CE) courses focused on rental leasing and property management: 

• Residential Leasing Agent Online Courses
• Real Estate Broker Pre-License Courses
• Continuing Education Courses for Rental Leasing/Property Management
  • FH 302 – Assistance Animals and Fair Housing
  • PM 605 – Legal Issues: Leasing Property & Association Management