DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado renters have new protections under laws that took effect Oct. 1.
HB21-1121 and SB21-173 passed through the Colorado legislature during this year’s session.
The COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project summarized some of the highlights.
Leases and rent
Landlords are prevented from raising rent more than once a yearA tenant without a written rental agreement must get 60 days written notice before rent is hikedRenters can recover financial damages if they’re illegally locked out or wrongfully evicted by their landlord
Late fees
Landlords can’t charge a late fee unless payment is at least seven days lateNo late fee can be more than $50 a month of 5% of monthly rent, whichever is more
Evictions
Tenants can respond in court at any time on the day that response is due, and the court must set the trial for 7-10 days laterTenants can claim a breach of the Colorado Warranty of Habitability statute (for example, if a house has a pest infestation, toxic mold or an essential appliance that does not work), and the judge can reduce the amount of rent owed to the landlordRenters can pay owed rent to stop the eviction before a judge makes a decisionThe document that allows a sheriff to actually remove a tenant from a property cannot come until 48 hours after the judgment, and a sheriff can’t execute it until at least 10 days after the judgment is entered
Read more in this summary from the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project.
Anyone who needs rental help can call the Colorado Housing Connects hotline at 844-926-6632 or visit Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs website for resources statewide.
