Colorado State Tenant's Rights
Rental agreements and tenant rights are regulated by the Colorado Landlord and Tenant Act. This act is part of Colorado's civil code. It provides legal recourse for tenants when a landlord attempts to violate their rights under the act.
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Fair Housing
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Colorado tenants have the right to fair housing arrangements. Fair housing means that the landlord is not allowed to discriminate against a tenant during his application, tenancy or eviction. Types of discrimination include refusing to provide housing due to family status, harassing a tenant because of her race, or asking about your religious beliefs. Fair housing violations are reported to the local housing authority.
Notice of Entry
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A landlord is allowed to enter a Colorado residence, but he must provide advance notice except for emergency repairs. The landlord is allowed in the house for inspection, repairs and showing. A tenant is able to report the landlord if he is abusing his right to entry.
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Repairs
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The subject of repairs is often a bone of contention between landlords and tenants. The rental agreement should have clauses to establish responsibility for certain types of repairs. Colorado does not require a landlord to do any specific repairs, although the landlord is responsible for maintaining the habitability of the home. The tenant performs repairs on damage caused by the tenant or minor repairs. Dealing with appliances and major system repairs is typically the responsibility of the landlord.
There is a way for tenants to deal with a landlord who refuses to perform needed repairs. The Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act provides legal protection for tenants dealing with this situation. The act allows a tenant to send the landlord written notice of the deficiencies of the apartment. These deficiencies must be major to apply for protection under the act. A tenant is able to withhold rent, end the tenancy or file for an injunction if the landlord does not return the home to a habitable state.
Rent Increases
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A long-term lease protects a Colorado tenant against rent increases unless there is a clause for increasing the rental payment during the lease term. Any rental increase comes at the end of a lease term otherwise, and the landlord must provide sufficient notice for the tenant to move if he does not agree with the increases.
Security Deposit
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Colorado's Landlord and Tenant Act does not set an amount for security deposits. The standard security deposit in Colorado is one month's rent, but hot rental markets might ask for two months' rent as a security deposit. The landlord is allowed to use the security deposit only to cover unpaid rent, make repairs or clean the apartment. Within 30 days or 60 days, the landlord sends a tenant the itemized deductions taken from the security deposit and anything left from the deposit.
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References
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