New Laws in Denver give renters more power.

Recently, the City of Denver implemented new laws that affect landlords and rental properties in the city. These laws are designed to improve living conditions for tenants and provide greater protection for renters. In this post, we'll take a closer look at some of the new laws for landlords in Denver.

Rental Application Fees

Under the new law, landlords in Denver can no longer charge rental application fees. This is to prevent landlords from profiting off of the application process and to reduce the financial burden on renters. Landlords can still require a credit check, but must absorb the cost themselves.

Rent Control

Denver has also implemented rent control measures to protect renters from sudden and large rent increases. The new law limits annual rent increases to no more than 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan statistical area. Landlords must give tenants 90 days' notice before implementing a rent increase.

Just Cause Eviction

The new law also requires landlords to have a "just cause" for eviction. This means that landlords can only evict tenants for specific reasons, such as non-payment of rent, violating the lease agreement, or causing significant damage to the property. Landlords must provide tenants with written notice and give them the opportunity to correct any issues before proceeding with eviction.

Tenant Screening

Landlords in Denver are now required to disclose their tenant screening criteria before accepting rental applications. This is to ensure that potential tenants are not unfairly rejected based on subjective criteria. The screening criteria must be in writing and include factors such as credit score, criminal history, and rental history.

Inspection and Maintenance

Landlords in Denver must also comply with new inspection and maintenance requirements. Rental properties must be inspected every four years to ensure they meet safety and health standards. Landlords must also maintain the property and make necessary repairs within a reasonable timeframe.

Conclusion

The new laws for landlords in Denver are designed to improve living conditions for tenants and provide greater protections for renters. Landlords must comply with these laws to avoid legal issues and to ensure that they are providing safe and habitable rental properties. If you're a landlord in Denver, make sure you familiarize yourself with these new laws and adjust your practices accordingly.