Rental Registrations in Urbana
The City of Urbana is taking big steps to improve rental housing safety and quality with a newly adopted Rental Registration and Inspection Program. With over 10,000 rental units, making up nearly two-thirds of Urbana’s housing, this initiative aims to enhance property standards, protect property values, and hold landlords accountable. Urbana-Champaign has long been the only major city in central Illinois without such a program, making this a welcomed change by residents who have advocated for safer rental conditions.
The program, shaped by the Mayor’s Neighborhood Safety Task Force and inspired by similar efforts across the country, requires all rental properties—including single-family homes, multi-family units, duplexes, and room rentals—to register annually and pay a small fee. Exempt properties include nursing homes, hotels, and university-certified housing.
Urbana’s goal is to inspect all rentals on a rotating three-to-five-year schedule, ensuring that every unit meets safety standards. Approved by the City Council in January 2007, this program will be an annual fixture in Urbana’s efforts to provide safe, reliable housing for all.
Information for New Rental Registrants in Urbana
If you're a new rental property owner in Urbana, here’s what you need to know about the Rental Registration and Inspection Program:
Annual Registration & Fee: All rental properties must be registered each year, with a fee based on the property type. You can find the fee details in the City's Schedule of Fees.
Types of Properties Covered:
Included: Single-family homes, multi-family units, duplexes, room rentals, and properties where the owner is still an occupant.
Excluded: Nursing homes, hotels/motels, and University Certified Housing.
Inspection Cycle: Inspections are scheduled on a three-to-five-year cycle, focusing on safety standards. The timing will depend on factors outlined in the Ordinance.
Program Year: The registration program year begins October 15 each year, aligning with the leasing cycle.
Stress-Free Compliance with Trautman Property Management
Navigating Urbana’s Rental Registration and Inspection Program is easy with the Trautman Property Management team by your side. We handle the entire registration and inspection process for our property management clients, ensuring your rental properties meet all city requirements with minimal effort on your part. From annual registration and fee management to coordinating inspections and addressing compliance updates, our team takes care of every detail so you can enjoy peace of mind. With Trautman Property Management, maintaining a safe, compliant, and valuable rental property portfolio has never been more seamless.
For more details on your property’s inspection grade and other requirements, please visit the City’s Rental Inspection Grades list.