Updated Sept 2026
Landlord and Tenant FAQ: 6 Common Questions Answered
The relationship between a landlord and a tenant can sometimes be uneasy. Ask the average unhappy tenant, and they’ll likely tell you their landlord’s sole ambition is to rip them off and make their life as difficult as possible. An unhappy landlord tends to see the situation differently, feeling that no matter how much they do for a tenant, there are always problems and always reasons to delay paying rent.
It’s essential that landlords be courteous, respectful, and professional at all times when communicating with tenants, and vice versa. This reduces the likelihood of frustration or animosity when it’s time to negotiate a lease renewal or discuss a problem or need.
Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and we are not giving legal advice. For legal advice or questions, please contact an attorney.
For a free rental estimate or to talk to a real person, call 303-665-7368.
1. Is Rent by the Room an Emerging Trend?
No, rent by the room has been around for quite some time. We often have landlords reach out to us to help fill a vacancy, or because they’re having issues between roommates. Individual liability leasing opens you up to a lot more stress and complications, since you must keep track of each person’s individual lease agreement. Joint and severally liable leasing gives you more control over the situation, since you only have one lease to manage.
2. What Should I Consider When Investing in a Rental Property?
There are lots of factors to weigh up when looking at an investment property. As far as the property itself goes, location, the size of the home, and the overall condition and finish all matter. Properties that aren’t updated or in great condition should be improved so they rent faster and for higher rates.
3. What Questions Can You Not Ask Potential Tenants?
You cannot ask potential tenants about their familial status, whether they have children, their religion, or their sexual orientation, among other things. You must follow fair housing law at the federal, state, and local level, and you cannot deny housing based on any protected characteristic.
In Colorado specifically, the state’s protected classes include race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, familial status, disability, marital status, creed, and source of income. That last one matters more than ever: Colorado law now requires landlords to accept housing vouchers, including Section 8, so screening someone differently because of how they pay their rent is against the law. Some individual Colorado cities add their own additional protected classes on top of the state list, so it’s worth double-checking local rules for your specific property as well.
4. How Can I Make My Rental Property More Attractive?
There are several updates that can make your rental property more attractive. Fresh paint throughout and new flooring make a big impact for relatively modest cost. Kitchens and bathrooms are where the most value gets added, so updating appliances, countertops, cabinetry, and bathroom fixtures pay off. New lighting can go a long way too.
5. Should You Allow Pets in Your Rental?
Our answer is absolutely. The large majority of Colorado renters have pets, so it’s a huge chunk of your potential prospect pool. Even setting limitations on the number of pets, their size, or their breed is better than a hard no. Allowing pets helps get your property rented faster.
Just know the rules have changed here too. Colorado’s HB23-1068 caps what you can charge for pets: a maximum $300 refundable pet deposit, and monthly pet rent capped at $35 or 1.5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Build your pet policy around those limits rather than the higher fees some landlords used to charge before the law changed.
6. ¿Qué Debo Considerar al Invertir en una Propiedad de Alquiler?
Algunos factores principales que se deben considerar son el tipo de propiedad, la ubicación, qué amenidades proporciona la propiedad, planes para desarrollos de la comunidad, tendencias del mercado, el promedio del valor de renta, entre otros. Recomendamos siempre hablar con su agente de bienes raíces y ser transparente sobre cuáles son sus necesidades para que pueda ayudarlo a tomar la decisión correcta.
Have More Questions?
If you’re a landlord looking for additional clarity on laws, we recommend our Colorado Landlord Tenant Laws page. We provide free rental estimates, or you can talk to a real person by calling 303-665-7368.
