Guide To Property Maintenance Codes

This booklet is designed to be an informational guide to Hanover Park’s Property Maintenance Codes.  These codes, enforced by the Village, help preserve residential properties, provide a safe environment, and maintain property values.

This booklet contains only a summary of the regulations.  For complete definitions, descriptions, or exceptions to the regulations, you may review the actual Code at Village Hall.

Look at the Outside
Property Maintenance Requirements
On the Inside
In the Kitchen
In the Bathroom
The Basement
Smoke Detectors
What Does "Overcrowding" Mean?
Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities
We Can Help

Look at the Outside

Is your home well-maintained?  Use this checklist to evaluate your property.

Are your Walls:

• in good repair,

• free of holes or decay,

• without peeling paint,

• without graffiti,

• without missing bricks or mortar, and

• with properly maintained soffit-fascia?

Is your Roof:

• free of leaks,

• with shingles in good condition (not worn or missing), and

• with gutters and downspouts in good repair and free of obstructions?

Are your Doors (including garage):

• properly maintained,

• weather tight, and

• with secured hinges and locks?

Is your Foundation:

• structurally sound, and

• without holes or cracks?

Are your Windows and Screens:

• weather-tight,

• in sound condition,

• properly glazed glass (without cracks or holes),

• operable, and

• with screens?

Is your Chimney:

• structurally safe and sound,

• in good repair,

• properly weather-coated, and

• without loose or missing bricks?

Are your House Numbers:

• 3 inches high,

• visible from the street, and

• in numerals only?

Property Maintenance Requirements

Requirements around the outside of your home and property:

Accessory Structures:

Include detached garages, sheds, fences, decks, patios, and pools.  These structures must be sound and in good repair; they must also be the proper size and in the proper location.

Yards must:

be clean and free of debris and trash.

Weeds and Tall Grass must:

be maintained less than 8 inches in height.

Compost Piles must:

• have no obnoxious odors,

• be less than 5 feet in height and 100 sq. feet in area, and

• exist only in rear yards, except corner lots in side yards within 20 feet of the rear yard.

Sidewalks and Driveways must be:

• properly maintained, and

• snow must be removed as required.

Gravel driveways must be paved by 11/1/96.

Motor Vehicles must:

• be parked on paved surfaces (RVs must be on blocks or gravel in the rear yard),

• be operable,

• not be undergoing major repair work, and

• residential parking of only class "B" trucks.

Garbage Containers must:

• be less than 35 gallons and 70 lbs,

• not be in front yards,

• not be in corner side yards unless screened, and

• not be set out earlier than 5:00 pm on the night before collection, and must be removed by 24 hours after collection.

Outside Storage

No garbage, refuse, landscape waste, rubbish, or building materials are allowed in front, corner side, or side yards.  Stacked firewood is allowed in corner side and side yards.  Necessary building materials required for a valid building permit are allowed in any yard.

On the Inside

Is your house clean, safe, and well-maintained?

Are your Walls and Ceilings:

• clean,

• without loose wallpaper,

• without cracks,

• without loose plaster,

• without flaking paint, and

• without lead paint?

Are your Floors:

• sound,

• without holes,

• clean, and

• without cracked tiles or torn carpet?

Are your Hallways:

• well lit,

• clear of debris,

• clean, and

• with approved smoke detectors installed?

Are your Windows:

• without broken glass,

• operable, and

• with screens?

Are your Heating and Cooling Systems:

• properly maintained, and

• able to maintain 68 degrees F?

Are your Electrical Components:

• able to provide adequate service,

• without frayed or unconnected wires,

• without broken light fixtures,

• used with the proper type and size extension cords,

• with a fuse box accessible to tenants,

• without loose or broken outlets, and

• without cracked or missing outlet covers?

Are your Doors:

• secure,

• fitting the frames,

• not blocked

• attached with the proper hardware,

• with door jambs intact,

• properly painted, and

• with an operating lockset?

Are your Plumbing Structures:

• free of leaks,

• operating properly,

• without plugged drains, and

• without faucets lower than the top of tub or sink rim?

In the Kitchen

Is your kitchen sanitary and safe?

Are your Walls and Floors:

• clean (no grease), and

• properly painted?

Are your Appliances:

• in good working condition, and

• clean?

Is your Sink:

• without leaks in the faucet or drain, and

• with hot and cold water?

Are your Counter and Cabinets:

• clean,

• properly secured,

• with all hardware attached, and

• with drawers that work properly?

Are your Electrical Receptacles:

• with 2 separate outlets as required, and

• properly maintained?

Are your Windows:

• without broken glass, and

• operable?

Is your Exhaust Fan:

• clean and operable?

Extermination

• Any insects or rodents must be eliminated.

Rodents and Roaches are attracted to:

• dirty dishes,

• dirty stoves and refrigerators,

• uncovered food,

• cracked floor coverings,

• garbage in open containers, and

• grease covered walls and ceilings!

Poisonous Gas

Do not heat the kitchen by turning on all gas burners. This causes a buildup of poisonous gas (carbon monoxide) which can be fatal.

Sleeping

Sleeping is not permitted in the kitchen or other nonhabitable areas such as the laundry room or bathrooms.

In the Bathroom

Make sure that your bathroom is safe!

Is your Tub or Shower:

• with grouting or caulking intact, and

• without leaks?

Is your Sink:

• properly installed, and

• without leaks in the faucet or drain?

Is your Toilet:

• without leaks at base,

• flushing properly, and

• with proper toilet seat?

Is your Electrical System:

• equipped with at least one properly-maintained receptacle and one light fixture?

Is your Floor:

• clean and sanitary, and

• water-tight?

Are your Walls:

• properly painted and clean?

Ventilation

• Is there an operable window or exhaust fan?

Caution!

Water and electricity can electrocute you.  Make sure to take the following precaution:  Never use electric appliances near water.

Be sure to...

• clean the bathroom regularly,

• avoid staining fixtures with abrasive cleaners, and

• repair leaking faucets to avoid water waste.

The Basement

The final danger area.

Is your Heating System:

• able to maintain 68 degrees F,

• properly installed and ventilated,

• sealed against fumes,

• with ducts and pipes that are leak-free,

• with a sealed chimney,

• with clean filters, and

• clear of storage items?

Is your Electrical System:

• properly grounded,

• have insulated wires,

• with an enclosed fuse box,

• without exposed brass light sockets,

• installed or modified only by a licensed homeowner or electrician, and

• not less than 60 amps service?

Is your Stairway:

• well-lit,

• with a secure handrail,

• with secure steps, and

• with evenly spaced steps?

Are your Walls:

• waterproof, and

• structurally sound?

Are your Floor Areas:

• waterproof,

• free of trash,

• with a grill over drainpipe outlet, and

• without gasoline-filled containers?

Are your Smoke detectors:

• in the proper location?

Is your Water Service:

• without cross connection of sanitary or storm water drains?

Is your Water Heater:

• capable of heating to 110 degrees F,

• properly vented,

• maintaining the correct temperature and pressure,

• equipped with relief valves,

• clear of storage items, and

• without leaks?

A sleeping area must have:

• proper ceiling height,

• light and ventilation,

• be registered as a rental unit, if appropriate, and

• have an available exit.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are required!  Make sure yours is working properly.

It’s the law that every dwelling unit must have at least one smoke detector.  The owner of a dwelling unit is required to provide a detector.  After occupancy, the tenant is responsible for replacing the batteries as needed.  Moreover, all multiple dwelling units must have approved smoke detectors in common areas and stairways.

A basic smoke detector shall be located within 15 feet of every sleeping area.  In homes with more than one sleeping area, a smoke detector should be provided to protect each.

Smoke detectors should be mounted on the ceiling at least 6 inches from any wall, or on the wall 4–6 inches below the ceiling.  Smoke detectors are required on each floor level, including basements, except unoccupied attics.  In split level homes, without intervening doors between levels, only one smoke detector for the two floors is required.

What Does "Overcrowding" Mean?

A home must not be occupied by more persons than permitted.  For three to five occupants, the home must have a kitchen, dining, and living room of not less than 250 square feet.  For six or more persons, the minimum is 330 square feet.

Also, the following sleeping space must be provided:

Sleeping Space Occupancy Requirement Chart

A sleeping unit is based on the combination of all bedrooms which are lawfully used for sleeping.

A bedroom must be at least 70 square feet and if slept in by two or more, must have 50 square feet for each occupant

Everyone Has a Responsibility!

Tenant Responsibilities

1. To comply with the tenant’s responsibilities in the lease.
   

2. To maintain the apartment and other areas the tenant controls in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition, including:

   a. Promptly removing and properly disposing of garbage and refuse.

   b. Not accumulating combustible materials that create a fire hazard or block exits or stairways.

   c. Not overloading electrical outlets or improperly using extension cords.

   d. Cleaning the kitchen and bathroom on a daily or as-needed basis.

   e. Properly storing food to help eliminate insects or mice.

   f. Reporting the presence of insects or mice to the landlord and cooperating with their extermination.

   g. Not having more than three dogs or cats and cleaning up after them.

   h. Not removing batteries or disconnecting smoke detectors.

   i. Not drinking alcoholic beverages in parking lots where posted.

   j. Not storing inoperable vehicles or parts, or performing major automotive repairs.

   k. Giving the landlord access to make repairs at reasonable times.

Landlord Responsibilities

1. To comply with the landlord’s responsibilities in the lease.

2. To deliver the premises in a fit and livable condition. The apartment, or rental unit, must meet the minimum housing standards set by the Village of Hanover Park.

3. To maintain the common areas (stairs, hallways, laundry rooms), as well as exterior areas, in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.

4. To make the required repairs in a timely manner in apartments, as well as the common areas of the building.

5. To provide adequate heating of 68 degrees F in all habitable spaces.

6. To maintain screens on windows to protect against insects or pests entering the units.

7. To comply with the Illinois statutes on the return of security deposits.

8. To not permit overcrowding.

We Can Help You

In order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens, the Village of Hanover Park establishes minimum standards for all property within the Village and a process--called code enforcement--to maintain these standards!  The Community Development Department is available to help residents understand and comply with these standards.

Remember, all but ordinary repairs require a building permit.

For further information regarding when building permits are needed, how they are obtained, or the licensing of contractors, read Your Guide to Home Improvement in Hanover Park which is available at Village Hall, or call the Community Development Department at (630) 372–4260, using the following extensions:

Property Maintenance 4113
Building Permits 4110
Health Division 4105

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Village of Hanover Park
2121 West Lake Street
Hanover Park, IL  60133
(630) 372-4200
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Thursday, 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

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