Water Termination

Hi,

I live in a three unit building where the RLTO applies. We just received a water termination notice on the front of our building for August 13. The amount owed is slightly more than one months rent (1300). We have called our landlord and not received any reply. I have some questions on our remedy.

1) While 5-12-110 - f - (1) says we can pay the bill ourselves, it seems to indicate that we can do this only if our water is off, not if we received notice of our water being shut off in the future. Can we pay the bill under this section and withhold rent?

2) If the answer to 1) is no, how do we procede?

3) If yes, can we pay the entire amount for all three units in order to keep the water on. Our neighbors cannot help, so we would need to take it upon ourselves to keep the water flowing, but can we then withhold the entire payment from rent?

4) What type of notice do we have to give our landlord if he continues to be unresponsive to calls?

We appreciate any response.

You appear informed [I live in a three unit building were the RLTO applies],is this because of RLTO.Org or because of 5-12-170 Summary Of Ordinance Attached To Rental Agreement, either one of these will inform you of your rights or remedies made available to you.
1) Correct, correct, by following the remedy you may deduct the cost from the rent.
2) Use the rights and remedies made available for 5-12-030-Definitions,5-12-070-Landlords Responsiblility To Maintain,5-12-090-Identification Of Owner And Agents,5-12-095-Tenant's Notification Of Foreclosure Action, 5-12-100-Notice of Conditions Affecting Habitability, 5-12-100(b)-Notice of Conditions Affecting Habitability,5-12-110(a),5-12-110(e), and 5-12-110(f)-Tenant Remedies.
3) Yes you may, under the RLTO
4) 5-12-090-Identifcation of Owner and Agents and 5-12-110(a)
Tenant Remedies.

If a NOTICE OF WATER SERVICE TERMINATION was posted on the building which you are a tenant (exhibit above). There are remedies made available to tenants by the City of Chicago for Water Service Termination. Within the posted notice of Water Service Termination by the City of Chicago on the building of which you are a tenant, you have the right to: (A) pay the amount due and deduct it from your rent OR (B) Petition the court for appointment of a receiver who will collect your rents and use part of the money to pay past due water bills. You may qualify for legal assistance in connection with this notice. Please see "Legal Assistance" in the white or yellow pages of your telephone directory.