Minimum Housing Complaint forms being distributed in Quincy

The City of Quincy’s Minimum Housing Complaint Form are available at more than 60 Continuum of Care organizations and churches in Quincy by the Safe and Livable Housing Committee.

About 800 complaint forms have been sent or delivered to 60 participating groups and four individuals.

“We realize there are many fine landlords in Quincy who maintain their rental properties, but we also are aware that there are a number of rental dwellings that are deteriorated and substandard and are not being maintained,” Rev. Joe Zimmerman, chair of the Safe and Livable Housing Committee, said. “Children and adults are living in them and suffering. Quincy can, and must do better, and good citizens need to join with us and help.”

The complaint form gives tenants who believe they are living in unsafe, substandard housing a way to report possible housing violations to the city. The tenant can list any possible violations and submit them to the City of Quincy Inspection Department at 706 Maine (third floor) across from City Hall at 730 Maine.

You can download the form here:

The form also can be e-mailed (planning@quincyil.gov) or faxed (217-221-2288), to the Planning Department.

The complaint form is evaluated by the Inspection Department and if the complaint is determined to be legitimate, and the tenant is still living in the rental property, an inspection of the property takes place. The tenant must be available by phone and present during the inspection.

An inspection check list is on the back of the complaint form showing what items should be in every rental house or apartment. Included with each item is the reference number of Chapter 154 of the City Maintenance Code.

  All rental properties should have:

• Hot and cold running water.
• Carbon monoxide detectors.
• Smoke detectors.
• Operable windows in sleeping areas for emergency escape and rescue.
• Locks for all exterior doors; locks for first-floor windows.
• A roof that does not leak; adequate heating capable of maintaining 68-degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms.
• Plumbing fixtures in good working order including bathtub, shower, lavatory, toilet and kitchen sink.
• Electrical switches, outlets and junction boxes with proper covers.
• Floors in good repair with no rotting or holes.

This is partial list that includes some of the most common violations.

 When a tenant rents or leases a rental property, it is the property owner’s responsibility to see to it that the dwelling is free of pests and rodents; once occupied, it is the responsibility of the tenant to keep the unit pest and rodent free. 

Complaint Forms can be found in the lobby at City Hall at 730 Maine, the Inspection Department at 706 Maine (third floor), Reference Desk Quincy Public Library at 526 Jersey, Salvation Army Shelter at 501 Broadway Street, Ladies of Charity Thrift Shop at 510 South 4th Street, Catholic Charities at 620 Maine, Horizons Soup Kitchen at 224 South Eighth Street, Quanada at 2707 Maine Street, Vermont Street United Methodist Church at 818 Vermont Street and First Baptist Church at 739 North 8^th Street.

 Complaint Forms are also available at these Continuum of Care Organizations: 

YWCA, Quincy Public Schools Administrative Office, Quincy Neighborhood Federation, Advocacy Network for Children, Transitions of Western Illinois, Teen Reach and Bella Ease, Blessed Sacrament Church, Cornerstone Foundation for Families, The Crossing, Quincy Notre Dame High School, Luther Memorial Church, Blessing Hospital, Adams County Health Department, Chaddock, Christ Lutheran Church, St. John’s Anglican Parish, St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Salem United Church of Christ, Quincy Preserves, Quincy Unitarian Church, Quincy Medical Group, Quincy Housing Authority, Quincy Human Rights Commission, Unmet Needs Committee, Two Rivers Council of Public Officials, United Way of Adams County, West Central Illinois Area Agency On Aging, SIU School of Medicine, My Brotha’s and Sista’s Keepers, Trinity United Church of Christ, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, League of Women Voters, Quincy YMCA, Quincy Branch NAACP, Parkview Church, Indivisible, Cathedral of Worship, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Madison Park Christian Church, Horizons Soup Kitchen, Calvary Baptist Church, The Well House, Lutheran Church of St. John, and Addicts Victorious.