Landlord Law in Colorado
Each state is responsible for setting its own policies regarding rental agreements and tenancy laws. In general, these laws seek to protect both tenants and landlords by requiring each party to abide by the terms of a rental agreement. In Colorado, the state Division of Housing oversees landlord laws that affect anyone who leases, owns or manages rental property.
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Significance
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The significance of Colorado's landlord laws is that they define the rights and responsibilities of anyone who owns or manages rental property in the state. The Colorado Division of Housing notes that landlord laws are intended to protect landlords in court, and advises that any changes to rental agreements be put in writing since judges are unlikely to accept oral agreements as valid when settling a dispute between a tenant and landlord.
Requirements
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Colorado's landlord laws place a number of legal responsibilities on landlords. This includes allowing individual communities to establish habitability codes, which define in what condition a landlord must keep a rental unit. State landlord law also prevents landlords from entering any rental unit without permission from the tenant except to make emergency repairs or request back rent. Finally, Colorado requires landlords to give notice before evicting a tenant.
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Rights
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Landlords also enjoy several specific rights under Colorado state law. These include the right to withhold a security deposit and retain some or all of the deposit to pay for repair to damage caused by a tenant's negligence. Landlords can also evict a single roommate when there is a problem between two roommates, both of whom are listed on the lease agreement. Finally, a Colorado landlord may increase rent according to the terms of a rental agreement or, when there is no valid rental agreement, by giving 10 days notice to tenants.
Time Frame
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Colorado's landlord law includes terms that govern how and when landlords may evict tenants. A landlord's notice of eviction must come three months before the eviction date for tenants who have lived in the unit for more than a year, and one month for tenants who have been there between six months and one year, regardless of the terms of the lease. Tenants who have only occupied a rental unit for one to six months may only receive 10 days notice. Landlords who evict roommates without terminating the existing lease must give three days notice to the subject of the eviction.
Considerations
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Colorado's state landlord laws cover many of the most common problems and issues that arise between landlords and tenants. However, community tenancy laws and provisions in individual lease agreements are also legally valid. Tenants should be familiar with state and local laws before examining a lease agreement. They also need to understand the terms of the agreement before signing, since a lease agreement is legally binding.
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