Chicago requires landlords to disclose the building's electrical system in writing before you sign
Chicago's Municipal Code requires landlords to give you a written disclosure about the building's electrical system before you enter into a lease. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement. The disclosure must describe whether the building has individual meters for each unit, a master meter shared among tenants, or some combination. If you share a meter with other units, the landlord must tell you that explicitly.
The purpose of this disclosure is to show you how you will be billed for electricity. If you have your own meter, you pay ComEd or another utility directly. If you are on a master meter, the landlord typically bills you as part of rent or as a separate utility charge. The difference matters because it affects your bill, your rights if the power is cut off, and whether you can switch providers.
The disclosure must be provided before you sign the lease, not after. If a landlord does not give you this information in writing, you have grounds to dispute the lease terms later, and in some cases to break the lease without penalty.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago law requires a written electrical system disclosure before you sign any apartment lease.
- The disclosure must state whether you have an individual meter, a shared master meter, or a combination of both.
- If the disclosure is missing or incomplete, you can challenge the lease or use it as grounds to terminate without penalty.
- Master meter buildings often include electricity in rent or charge it separately; individual meters mean you pay the utility company directly.
What the disclosure must include
The written disclosure must identify the electrical system type for your specific unit. It should state clearly whether your apartment has its own meter connected to the utility company, or whether you are on a master meter system where the landlord receives one bill and divides it among tenants.
If the building uses a master meter, the disclosure must explain how you will be charged — whether electricity is included in your rent, billed separately each month, or calculated some other way. The landlord cannot hide this information in fine print or assume you understand it. It must be a separate, signed document or a clearly marked section of the lease itself.
Some buildings have mixed systems: your unit might have its own meter for some circuits but share a master meter for common areas like hallways or laundry rooms. The disclosure should describe this arrangement too, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
When a landlord fails to provide the disclosure
If your landlord did not give you a written electrical disclosure before you signed the lease, you have legal recourse. You can notify the landlord in writing that the disclosure was not provided and request it when ready. Keep a copy of your request.
If the landlord does not respond or provides an incomplete disclosure, you may have the right to terminate the lease without penalty. You should document the date you asked for the disclosure and any response (or lack of response) from the landlord. Some tenants have successfully used a missing disclosure as grounds to break a lease and recover deposits.
If you believe the disclosure was intentionally withheld or falsified, you can file a complaint with the City of Chicago Department of Housing. You can also consult a tenant rights organization or attorney, as this violation may may have access to you to damages beyond just lease termination.
How electrical billing works in master meter buildings
In a master meter building, the landlord receives one bill from the utility company for the entire building's electricity use. The landlord then divides that cost among tenants. This can happen in several ways: the landlord may include electricity in your rent, charge you a flat monthly utility fee, or use a submetering system that measures your individual unit's use even though the building has one main meter.
Master meter arrangements are legal in Chicago, but they come with limits. The landlord cannot charge you more for electricity than the utility company would charge for the same usage. If you suspect you are being overcharged, you can request an itemized breakdown of how the bill was calculated. Some master meter buildings are required to use a certified submetering company to may support accuracy.
If you have your own meter, you deal directly with ComEd or another utility provider. You receive your own bill, you can choose your provider if competitive options exist, and you have the protections that utility customers have — such as notice before disconnection and the right to dispute charges.
Individual meters and your rights as a tenant
If your apartment has an individual meter, you are responsible for paying the utility company directly. The landlord should not be billing you for electricity through rent or a separate charge. Your lease should state that you are responsible for setting up and paying for your own utility account.
With an individual meter, you have more control over your bill. You can monitor your own usage, request a different rate plan from the utility, and dispute charges directly with the utility company rather than the landlord. You also have stronger protections: the utility company cannot shut off your power without proper notice and opportunity to pay, and these protections are enforced by state law.
The disclosure should make clear that you are responsible for the meter setup and that the landlord will not be billing you for electricity. If the lease is silent on this point, or if the landlord later tries to charge you for electricity despite your individual meter, the disclosure becomes evidence of what was promised.
How to verify the disclosure before signing
Before you sign a lease, ask the landlord or leasing agent for the electrical disclosure in writing. Do not accept a verbal explanation. Request a copy to take home and review. If the landlord says the disclosure will be provided later, do not sign the lease — it is a legal requirement that must happen first.
Once you have the disclosure, read it carefully. Confirm that it matches what you have observed: if the landlord says you have an individual meter, look for the meter on the building exterior or in a utility closet. If the disclosure says you are on a master meter, ask how much the average monthly electricity charge is, so you can factor it into your budget.
If anything in the disclosure is unclear or contradicts what the landlord told you verbally, ask for clarification in writing. Keep all documents together — the lease, the disclosure, and any written responses from the landlord. These become important if a dispute arises later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord charge me for electricity if I have my own meter?
No. If you have an individual meter, you pay the utility company directly, not the landlord. If the disclosure states you have an individual meter and the landlord tries to bill you for electricity anyway, that is a violation. You can refuse to pay and use the disclosure as proof of what was promised.
What if the electrical disclosure is vague or doesn't match my building?
Request a corrected disclosure from the landlord in writing. If the landlord refuses or provides conflicting information, document your request and the response. You may have grounds to terminate the lease or file a complaint with the City of Chicago Department of Housing.
Is electricity usually included in rent in Chicago apartments?
It depends on the building's electrical system. In master meter buildings, electricity is often included in rent or charged separately. In buildings with individual meters, you pay the utility company directly. The disclosure will tell you which applies to your unit.
Can I break my lease if the electrical disclosure is missing?
Yes, in many cases. A missing or incomplete electrical disclosure is a material breach of Chicago's lease requirements. You should notify the landlord in writing that the disclosure was not provided and give them a reasonable time to respond. If they do not, you may have the right to terminate without penalty.
Who do I contact if my landlord won't provide the disclosure?
Start by requesting the disclosure in writing and keeping a copy. If the landlord does not respond, contact the City of Chicago Department of Housing or a local tenant rights organization. You can also consult an attorney about your options for lease termination or damages.