In general, Colorado landlord tenant law is landlord-friendly. Colorado’s population is estimated at 5,557,000. Denver and Colorado Springs are among the state’s most populous cities. The Denver metropolitan area is estimated to have 649,654 residents, 30% of whom are renters.
In the following section, we’ll explore Colorado laws, as well as the laws governing Denver and Colorado Springs locally. The laws of your city may differ from those of your state, and you should be aware that landlords must adhere to their laws.
Are rental agreements required in Colorado?
The state of Colorado requires rental agreements for tenancies lasting more than a year. Even if the lease term is less than 12 months, we advise our landlords to enter into written rental agreements with their tenants for additional legal protection regardless of the length of the lease term. A written lease is a requirement for all of our landlords.
What is a landlord responsible for in Colorado?
According to Colorado’s landlord tenant laws, landlords have the right to: Ask for a security deposit prior to allowing tenants to rent their property. Receive rent payments when due. Enter a tenant’s rental to make important repairs, with advanced notice.
What are the general lease provisions in Colorado?
In Colorado, the typical lease provisions include the following:
- The names of both the owner and lessee (landlord and tenant, respectively)
- The conditions of occupancy
- An adequate description of the leased premises
- The term of the lease
- Who is liable for utility expenses
- The amount of rent
- The date rent is due
- Penalties for late rent payments
- Landlord’s responsibilities
- Tenant’s responsibilities
- Any specific use prohibitions (i.e. pets & smoking)
Tenants living in the rental unit must be at least 18 years old.
What is the difference between a lease and a rental agreement?
The main difference between a lease and rent agreement is the period of time they cover. A rental agreement tends to cover a short term—usually 30 days—while a lease contract is applied to long periods—usually 12 months, although 6 and 18-month contracts are also common.
Are there any unenforceable provisions in Colorado?
The following provisions are prohibited by Colorado law in lease agreements:
- Requiring the tenant to waive habitability
- The right for landlords to evict tenants and their personal property without following the eviction process as required under Colorado law
- For the tenant to consent to eviction without a 3-Day Notice, as required by the Colorado statute, due to non-payment of rent or for any other reason.
Is a lease agreement a legal document?
The Colorado lease agreement is a legal document that property landlords use to make a legally binding contract with their tenants. With the agreement, both parties can specify the rent and state the responsibilities. Both landlord and tenant will be bound to the terms of the agreement until the lease end date.
What happens if a tenant breaks the lease early and moves out?
When your tenant breaks a lease by leaving the rental property before the term expires, you have the right to collect the money you are owed. A lease agreement with a fixed term means the tenant owes you rent until you can lease the property out again to a qualified renter or the lease expires, whichever happens first.
How legally binding are leases?
A tenancy agreement is just like any other contract, so as soon as both the tenants and landlord have signed the agreement, it becomes a legally binding contract. … The contract will usually specify the move in date for the tenants and the date when the first rental payment is due.
Please also have a look at our article on what your rights are as a landlord in Colorado, and for more information on laws in all states, please see Laws for Landlords.
