Major Chicago landlords act to clean up Craigslist ads

YoChicago recently launched the Craigslist Apartment Cleanup with a goal of eliminating illegal rental service ads, which we estimate to be 95% of all Craigslist rental ads.

Cleaning up Craigslist will save Chicago renters countless hours, and make it fast and easy for them to connect directly with landlords and management companies to find their next home. More efficient Craigslist advertising will result in substantial rental service fee savings that properties would rather devote to improving their facilities and the services they offer their residents.

Two of Chicago’s largest management companies – Reside Living and Planned Property Management – have agreed to support the Craigslist Apartment Cleanup. Another early-adopter is Eugenie Terrace, Lincoln Park‘s most sought-after full-amenity high-rise.

We encourage you to reward the companies that have taken the lead in making your rental search more pleasant by putting their properties on your must-see list.

If you’re a landlord or management company, you can support the Craigslist Apartment Cleanup by periodically including the following or similar language in your communications with rental services:

Advertising our property is prohibited
In the interest of ensuring that renters have the most accurate and up-to-date information about rents, features and policies at our property, and as a condition of doing business with us, you agree that you will not advertise our property or use images of our property on Craigslist, on your website or in any other print or online venue. Advertising without written authorization is grounds for disciplinary action under Section 225 ILCS 454/20-20 (a) (26) of the Illinois Real Estate License Act and Standard of Practice 12-4 of the NAR Code of Ethics.

Notify YoChicago that you’ve reminded rental services of their legal obligations, and we’ll help promote your efforts to make life easier for Chicago renters.

We’ll be monitoring Craigslist ads and filing complaints with the State against companies who advertise properties they’re not authorized to advertise.

We’ve spoken recently with a number of rental agents and found them to be uniformly and willfully ignorant of the law. If they’re new to the business – as many rental service agents are – we’re advising them that they’ve put their license in jeopardy if they have one, and risked fines that can cripple their financial future.

Like our Facebook page to show your support for the Craigslist Apartment Cleanup and the leading landlords who support it.

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