Starting January 1, 2025, all rental agreements in Colorado will have to include important statements. These statements must be in bold, twelve-point type. They will cover tenants’ rights to safe and healthy housing.
This is a big change to the state’s Warranty of Habitability law. Landlords and property managers need to get ready for these updates.
What is the Warranty of Habitability?
The implied warranty of habitability is a law in Colorado. It makes sure rental homes are safe and healthy. This rule applies to all tenants, even without a written lease. It requires landlords to provide basic things like running water and clean areas.
Warranty of Habitability in Colorado
In Colorado, the Warranty of Habitability law is strict. It says almost every rental home must be safe and healthy. Landlords must keep their properties up to code. If they don’t, the home might not be fit for living.
Examples of Conditions that Make a Property Uninhabitable
Mold associated with dampness
Non-functioning appliances
Lack of waterproofing
Inadequate electrical lighting
Issues with ventilation, fire exits, and elevator functionality for disabled tenants
The law also covers gas issues. It says landlords must fix problems with gas pipes and stoves. Tenants should be told if there’s been radon in their home.
Key Changes Effective January 1, 2025
Starting January 1, 2025, landlords in Colorado must make sure their rental properties are safe and livable. They need to add specific statements to rental agreements and online portals. These statements will talk about tenant rights and how to report bad living conditions.
Mandatory Notification Posting for Online Tenant Portals
Landlords must post these statements in English and Spanish. They must use at least 12-point, bold-faced type. This ensures tenants know their rights and how to report any problems.
Why This Matters
By telling tenants about their rights and how to report issues, landlords can fix problems fast. This keeps tenants safe and healthy. It also helps landlords follow the new rules of the Warranty of Habitability Act.
Responsibilities of Landlords Under the Act
The updated Warranty of Habitability in Colorado has big rules for landlords. They must keep their rental properties safe and habitable. Landlords need to fix any problems that could make a property unfit for living.
Overview of Landlord Duties to Maintain Rental Properties
Now, landlords must act fast when tenants report problems. They have 24 hours for urgent issues and 72 hours for less urgent ones. After that, they must start fixing the problems quickly.
They have to solve urgent problems in 7 days and less urgent ones in 14 days. Landlords also need to keep records of all talks and actions about habitability issues.
Steps Landlords Should Take to Comply with the New Notification Requirements
Update rental agreements to include a statement in English and Spanish, in at least twelve-point, bold-faced type, informing tenants of their rights under the Warranty of Habitability and providing an address for delivering written notice of uninhabitable conditions.
Establish clear and accessible communication channels for tenants to report issues, such as dedicated online portals or maintenance hotlines.
Develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance plan to proactively address potential habitability concerns.
Train property management staff on the new requirements and procedures for responding to tenant complaints in a timely manner.
Maintain detailed records of all tenant notifications, maintenance activities, and remedial actions taken to address habitability issues.
By following these steps, landlords can meet the new Warranty of Habitability rules. This ensures their tenants live in safe and healthy conditions.
Rights and Responsibilities of Tenants
In Colorado, tenants have clear rights and duties to keep rental homes safe and healthy. You have the right to a home that is safe and meets basic needs. This includes access to utilities, protection from the weather, and working appliances.
Rights of Tenants under the Warranty of Habitability
Tenants can tell their landlords about any problems with the home. They can use phone calls, emails, or texts. Landlords must fix emergency issues in 24 hours and other problems in 72 hours.
Tenants are also protected from unfair actions by landlords. This includes not raising rent or ending leases unfairly because they spoke up about problems.
Tenant Responsibilities
Keep the rental unit clean and sanitary, properly dispose of waste, and use utilities responsibly.
Avoid disturbing neighbors and respect the quiet enjoyment of the property.
Promptly notify the landlord in writing about any habitability issues that need to be addressed.
Cooperate with the landlord during necessary repairs and maintenance.
By knowing their rights and doing their part, tenants and landlords can work together. This ensures homes meet housing code violations and tenant rights standards. Together, they create a safe and comfortable place to live.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Landlords and tenants in Colorado need to know the legal outcomes of not following the state’s updated Warranty of Habitability law. Not meeting the new standards can lead to big penalties for both sides.
For Landlords
Landlords who ignore housing code violations or don’t keep their properties up to standard may face legal trouble. This includes claims for damages from tenants. The new law says landlords failed if problems last 7 or 14 days after a tenant notifies them.
Tenants can now defend against eviction or rent collection if landlords don’t meet their duties. This means landlords can’t kick out a tenant or get unpaid rent if they don’t follow the law.
For Tenants
If tenants don’t take care of the property or cause damage on purpose, they might get kicked out or have to pay for it.
But, damage from domestic violence or related issues isn’t the tenant’s fault. It can’t be used to evict them.
The updated Warranty of Habitability law in Colorado tries to balance the rights and duties of landlords and tenants. The goal is to make sure all rental properties are safe and livable.
Conclusion
The updated Colorado Warranty of Habitability law has made big changes. It now gives tenants more protection and makes it clear what landlords must do. This law aims to make living conditions safer and healthier for renters in Colorado.
As the colorado warranty of habitability keeps changing, it’s important for both tenants and landlords to know their rights. This law is a big step towards making sure renters in Colorado are well taken care of.
The new law might be a bit tough for landlords and property managers. But the main goal is to find a fair balance for everyone. By working together and following the new rules, landlords and tenants can help make the rental market better in Colorado.
Did you know that the Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act makes sure most rental homes meet basic safety and health standards? This law was updated in 2021, 2023, and 2024. It ensures tenants have a safe place to live, even without a written lease. It covers many issues, like heating, plumbing, mold, and pests.
If you rent in Colorado, knowing your rights is key. This law tells landlords what they must do when problems arise. They must act fast, often within 24 hours, to fix issues that could harm your health or safety.
In this article, we’ll look closer at the Warranty of Habitability Act in Colorado. We’ll cover what properties need to be safe and healthy. We’ll also talk about the rights and duties of landlords and tenants. Knowing your rights helps make sure your rental home is safe and comfortable.
Understanding Basic Housing Standards in Colorado
Colorado’s rental property laws are clear. They ensure landlords meet basic standards. This is to keep tenants safe and healthy. Landlords must provide running water, working plumbing, and trash disposal.
Properties should not have pests. They must follow local building, fire, and health codes.
Essential Property Requirements
Rental properties in Colorado need certain things:
Working plumbing, electricity, and heating
Good ventilation and air flow
Water-tight roofs, walls, and windows
Safe fire exits and safety gear
Secure doors and strong stairs and railings
Maintenance and Safety Standards
Landlords must keep their properties safe. This means:
Checking and fixing doors, stairs, elevators, and railings
Providing heat from October to April
Fixing mold and dampness issues
Telling tenants about radon levels and fixing it if needed
Ensuring safe electrical wiring and lights
Colorado’s rental rules have changed. Now, they include natural gas safety and steps for health events like wildfires.https://www.youtube.com/embed/0dfDTs8x-3c
By following these standards, landlords in Colorado can make sure their properties are safe and good to live in.
Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act: Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
The Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act sets rules for landlords and tenants to keep living spaces safe and healthy. Landlords must fix urgent problems within 24 hours and non-urgent ones in 72 hours. They also need to provide temporary housing if needed and keep records of all habitability-related talks.
Tenants must report problems quickly, keep their place clean, and let landlords in for repairs. The law also stops landlords from getting back at tenants for reporting issues. It offers solutions like rent cuts and the chance to end the lease under certain conditions.
Landlord Responsibilities
Fix problems like mold, broken appliances, and safety issues within the given time frames.
Show proof they followed the rules after health events.
Give tenants a place to stay or pay for a hotel while fixing things.
Keep records of talks about living conditions for 3 years after the lease ends.
Let tenants know about problems and when they will be fixed.
Pay for repairs, unless the tenant caused the problem, except for victims of domestic violence.
Tenant Responsibilities
Tell the landlord about any living problems right away.
Keep the place clean and let the landlord in for repairs.
Follow the lease, unless the landlord didn’t provide a safe home.
The new Warranty of Habitability Act in Colorado makes sure tenants live in safe and healthy places. Knowing what landlords and tenants must do helps keep rental homes up to standard. It also makes sure problems get fixed quickly.
Landlord Responsibilities
Tenant Responsibilities
Fix living problems within set timesShow proof of following rules after health eventsProvide temporary housing during fixesKeep records of talks about living conditionsPay for repairs, unless the tenant caused it
Tell the landlord about living problems right awayKeep the place clean and let the landlord in for repairsFollow the lease, unless the landlord didn’t provide a safe home
Conclusion
The Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act has seen big changes. These updates aim to boost colorado tenant protections and make it clear what landlords must do. Now, there are clearer rules on what makes a place habitable and how fast landlords must act.
Landlords and tenants must know about these changes. This is to make sure everyone understands their rental rights awareness and follows the law.
This law is all about making sure homes are safe and healthy. It helps fix problems and wants to make rental places better in Colorado. It also protects people who are most at risk, like kids, older folks, and those with health issues.
Now, landlords have clear rules to follow to keep homes safe. This helps tenants stand up for their rights if landlords don’t do their job. Colorado is working hard to make sure everyone has a safe place to live.
The recent introduction of bill HB23-1115 in the Colorado State House has sparked discussions about rent control and its potential impact on communities in the state. While some may see such action as a viable solution to the affordable housing crisis, it’s important to understand why it’s not the answer.
Drew Hamrick, general counsel and senior VP of government affairs of the Colorado Apartment Association, has expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of controlling rent in the state. He believes that while it may be well-intentioned, it will only make housing more expensive and less available, compounding the problem instead of solving it. This is because rent control removes the financial incentive to create new housing units and improve existing ones, and it restricts resident mobility.
One of the primary issues with rent control is that it can actually decrease the supply of available housing, driving up costs and exacerbating the affordability crisis. When property owners are limited in their ability to set rents at market rates, they may be less likely to invest in maintaining and upgrading their properties, leading to a decline in the quality of housing stock. In addition, the lack of financial incentives to build new units can reduce the supply of available housing, making it more difficult for renters to find a place to live.
Another issue with rent control is that it can negatively impact neighboring communities. If one city enacts rent control, builders may be less likely to construct new housing units in that area, driving up the cost of housing in surrounding municipalities. This can create a domino effect where renters in neighboring communities end up paying more for housing because their neighbors artificially reduced supply with the rent control ordinance.
For more than 40 years, Colorado has prohibited local governments from enacting rent control ordinances, recognizing the damage rent control can do to available housing and understanding that one local government’s housing policy can negatively impact neighboring communities. Instead of focusing on controlling rent, the state needs to implement policies that encourage the creation of more housing units.
One promising solution is to encourage the construction of multifamily units. These types of units are more energy-efficient, require less land, and are less expensive to build, making them a viable solution to the state’s housing crisis. Multifamily units also allow people to live closer to where they want to live, reducing the need to drive and improving quality of life.
In conclusion, while the affordable housing crisis is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed, rent control is not the answer. It can decrease the supply of available housing, drive up costs, and negatively impact neighboring communities. Instead, Colorado should focus on policies that encourage the creation of more housing units, particularly multifamily units, to help address the state’s housing shortage.
If you have any questions about our stance on HB23-1115, please feel free to contact us here. If you would like to voice your opposition to this bill, please follow this link.
The featured image of this house on fire hits close to home - because it is MY HOME. And it motivated this article to ask this: When you experience rental property emergencies - who do you call?
You have been trained that when emergencies like fire or flooding happen to our properties, your first call is to first responders, and the second call is to your insurance company. But who else needs to be called? In a recent survey, most people became somewhat paralyzed after those two calls. And because of that, we strongly believe the following:
Landlords Need Property Managers
Property managers are well equipped with the knowledge and relationships necessary to act quickly on your behalf when rental property emergencies happen. They have first responders and your insurance company on speed dial - that’s a given. But they also know who to call to arrange alternate housing for your tenants in the event that your property is unlivable.
A good property manager knows the reputable restoration companies in the area. And don’t be fooled - everyone who shows up after an emergency, knocking on your door is NOT NECESSARILY reputable.
When a flood happens - a good property manager has quick access to a quality plumber who will make quick work stopping the problem. And if (God forbid) a tree should come crashing in through your roof, your property manager will know exactly who to call - not only to remove the tree, but to repair/replace the roof.
When rental property emergencies happen - and they do - having a good property manager is your best asset to getting your property back in livable shape, and taking care of your tenants.
If you’d like to speak to us about becoming your property manager of record, please feel free to contact us here, or call us directly. It’s an honor to serve our landlord community.
Home security systems are typically a no-brainer. You probably have one installed in your own residence. But what about your investment properties? There’s obviously an expense involved with having your rental properties monitored, and many landlords decide to forego that expense to maximize their profits.
We encourage landlords to consider installing home security systems in all of their rental properties for a number of reasons. First, many insurance plans offer a discount for properties that are covered by a monitoring plan. Those discounts add up, and can offset the expense of equipment, installation and monitoring.
It may seem like it would be better to allow your tenants to install equipment if they wish to add a layer of security beyond the functioning door locks. However, few tenants tend to add home security systems because of the expense, and the end result can be a vulnerable asset and unnecessary risk to the occupants of your property.
Speaking of your tenants, having home security systems preinstalled makes your property much more attractive to prospective tenants. Don’t underestimate the value of making prospective tenants feel that safety and security are your priorities as a landlord. Remember, you and your tenants are essentially opting into a relationship - and anything you can do to build trust and respect is a good thing.
And finally, new technologies have made it much less expensive to install viable home security systems. Some systems will even offer the equipment for free or at an incredible discount provided you sign up for their monitoring plan. And monitoring isn’t a back breaker, either. Many plans come in under $20/month… and since we’re talking about your investment property… we feel like that’s a great investment.
If you’d like to discuss home security systems with us, we’d be happy to offer our thoughts on the best system for your specific needs. Contact us here.
So you’ve got yourself an investment property, and now it’s time to navigate the world of rental listings to tell the world about your vacancy. There are a few tips that we can offer to help you attract not just prospective tenants… but the RIGHT tenants.
The first tip we can offer for rental listings is the proper use of localized keywords. Keywords are critical for rental listings because they are essentially “Google food”. If you want to climb the organic search results ladder, then finding the keywords that people are actually searching for is important. And when you’re doing your research, make sure that your rental listings include localized keywords to take advantage of the geo-search elements of Google.
Rental listings with high quality photos absolutely perform better than those with more of an amateur appearance. We suggest that quality is directly related to the photographer more than the actual camera equipment. With today’s technology, it’s possible to take great photos with your cell phone… but what separates some rental listings from others is the composition of the photography. And for that, we strongly recommend that you go with a professional photographer.
And finally, rental listings that draw attention to the amenities of the property tend to perform better than those who simply assume that prospective tenants already know what’s included. If your master bath has jets, make sure that you mention it. If your kitchen has accent lighting, tell your audience about it. This may seem obvious, but we’re constantly surprised at how many rental listings don’t call out the property’s highlights and features.
As Denver’s preferred property managers, we’d be happy to help you develop your rental listings for maximum expected benefits. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have here.
