Colorado Laws for Landlords

Updated Daily- See Below

Laws Landlord Should Know about

Renters would be protected from eviction by a new Denver landlord tax

Denver voters will decide in November whether to enact a new tax on landlords to provide lawyers for people facing evictions following two COVID-19-addled years during which federal and state intervention prevented an even worse situation for many renters.

Denver's No Eviction Without Representation Denver Ordinance 305 proposes a $75 per unit annual tax on landlords who own most rental housing in Denver. Tax revenues would be used to establish a legal defense program for renters at risk of losing their housing during eviction proceedings, which would increase with inflation.

Those in support of the measure say it would prevent more people from becoming homeless amid the housing crisis facing the country, state and city. It is expected to raise just under $12 million in its first year.

“It’s about keeping people in their homes,” housing activist Wren Echo, one of the lead organizers for the 305 campaign, said.

The Apartment Association of Metro Denver, on the other hand, claims that the new tax would simply be passed on to renters who are already strapped for cash.

“It’s totally unnecessary,” said Drew Hamrick, the association’s senior vice president of government affairs. There is a $75 fee no matter how poor you are ... and you have access to (the legal defense) no matter how wealthy you are. I don’t think the government should subsidize lawyers in civil matters.”

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and we are not giving legal advice. For legal advice and/or questions please contact an attorney.

Pest Control and Your Rental Investment

Who is responsible for handling the infestation, the property owner or the tenant?

When it comes to pest control maintenance, many owners think this topic is cut and dried and should simply be a tenant problem. However, investors should always take pest control seriously and minimize their liability.

The more common pest problems are ants, mice, spiders, etc. Requiring tenants to do minimal maintenance can often solve these problems and most residents accept this responsibility. We find the most practical approach is to counsel them on how to use preventative maintenance to avoid problems in the first place. This includes basic housekeeping such as immediately cleaning up food, removing pet food in areas that attract pests, keeping garbage receptacles clean, and other hygienic practices.

Property Tax SB22-238

SB22-238 - 2023 and 2024 Property Tax

For the years 2023 and 2024, reducing the real property taxation, reducing the assessment rates for certain classes of nonresidential property and residential property, and adjusting the amount of actual value to which the assessment rate will apply for all residential real estate and commercial property in 2023.; reducing the assessment rates for all multi-family residential real property to a set amount for 2024; reducing the assessment rates for all residential real property other than multi-family residential real property for 2024 by an amount determined by the property tax administrator to cumulatively with the other provisions of the bill reduce statewide property tax revenue for 2023 and 2024 by a specified amount; reducing the assessment rates for real and personal property that is classified as agricultural or renewable energy production property for 2024; and requiring the state to reimburse local governments, excluding school districts, in 2024 for 2023 reductions in their property tax revenue resulting from the bill.

Protections For Mobile Home Park Residents HB22-1287

Veterans And Military Status In Fair Housing HB22-1102

Anyone selling or renting a dwelling cannot discriminate against an individual based on their veteran or military status. It is illegal to refuse to negotiate for housing with an individual on the basis of their veteran or military status, or to deny or withhold housing based on an individual's veteran or military status. In accordance with the act, a person who was dishonorably discharged from military service is not considered a veteran or a member of the military.

To the extent necessary to determine whether an individual is eligible for a benefit offered to veterans or members of the military, the act permits inquiries regarding the individual's veteran or military status. A veteran or military housing benefit or any other advertising related to veteran or military housing is also permitted under the act. Regulations governing veterans' benefits can be adhered to under the act.

Programs To Develop Housing Support Services SB22-231

Supportive housing services for underserved communities, with a preference for rural and frontier communities to serve people with behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse disorders who have been involved with the criminal justice system, and programs to build statewide capacity for accessing supportive housing services.

The Legislative Oversight Committee on the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems. By passing this bill, the Division Of Housing in the Department of Local Affairs (division) will be able to establish and expand programs to build the capacity of communities across the state. Individuals with behavioral, mental health, or substance use disorders who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless or who have contact with the criminal or juvenile justice systems will receive supportive housing services, including:

Revolving Loan Fund Invest Affordable Housing SB22-159

Making an appropriation to create a revolving loan fund within the Division Of Housing within the Department Of Local Affairs to make investments in transformational affordable housing.

In accordance with the requirements of the act and the policies established by the Division of Housing (division) in the Department Of Local Affairs (department), the act establishes a transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund Program (loan program). To facilitate the completion of eligible loan projects identified in the act, the loan program provides flexible, low-interest, and below-market rate funding.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

LANDLORDS APPLY HERE

SEARCH HOMES FOR RENT

What is the potential rental value of your Colorado home?

Not sure if you need property management? Ask yourself these questions:

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Are you up to date on the ever-changing Fair Housing laws, legislation regarding Warranty of Habitability, lead based paint testing and toxic mold policies?
Has your property been issued a current Rental Housing License? If not, are you aware of the penalties?
Are you familiar with the new laws and legislation affecting your property?
Do you understand the complex nature of service, companion and emotional support animals?
Are you concerned about the recent legalization of marijuana and how this impacts you as the Landlord and your property?
Do you clearly understand the laws regarding security deposit dispositions and the interest due to the tenant?
Are you concerned about the possibility of a tenant suing you…and winning? It’s happening more and more every day.

TENANTS AND COLLECTING RENT

Do you want to deal with late payments, bounced checks, and collecting rent in general?
Do you dread confrontation with tenants? How are they maintaining the property? Are they paying their rent on time?

ADVERTISING YOUR RENTAL

Do you cross your fingers, hoping that you won’t have to deal with the exhaustive move-out, advertising, and move-in processes that occur between tenants?
Do you struggle with advertising and showing your vacant property?

Colorado Realty and Property Management, Inc. provides exceptional property management service with grace and ease.

TENANT SCREENING

Are you prepared to take applications, run credit, and perform background checks?
Do you have a way to screen potential tenants?

MAINTENANCE ISSUES

Are you frustrated with the calls and fines by the Homeowners Association or the City of Denver for something that you didn’t know about?
Do you sometimes feel that you spend too much of your time collecting checks, paying vendors, and performing all of the accounting necessary on your rental?

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and we are not giving legal advice. For legal advice and/or questions please contact an attorney.

Offering property management solutions in Denver, Broomfield, Fort Collins and surrounding areas:

Marketing of the Property

Applicant Selection/Screening

Lease Execution

Money and Financial Management

Property Management & Lease Enforcement

Tenant Management & Lease Enforcement

Rental Property Maintenance

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Our Rental Properties consist of single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and small multi-unit properties.

What our Property Managers do for you:

Keep on top of regional, state, and federal landlord/tenant laws and legislative issues, especially in Denver

Track vacancy factors and rates, time-on-the market, and rent values for the area

Effectively market your home with local and national Internet advertising.

Create, screen and maintain relationships with qualified, insured vendors.

Provide appropriate rental applications and forms that, along with our consistent screening process, ensure the highest quality tenants while conforming to all applicable laws.

Provide and enforce the terms of the lease agreement.

Collect and account for rents and pay vendors for work completed

Issue year end statements with 1099s.

Perform complete accounting for your property to ensure a maximum return on your investment and optimum tax benefit.

Online access to your account for viewing 24 hours a day.