Tenant Duties in Colorado

Tenants in Boulder, Denver, and other Colorado communities have certain duties outlined by state law and their lease agreements. These tenant duties are important to maintain a positive landlord-tenant relationship and ensure compliance.

But what happens if you’re a landlord and your tenant isn’t playing by the rules? Or what happens if you’re a tenant accused of shirking your duties, when you’re doing the best you can? When you don’t see eye to eye, we recommend calling the Denver offices of Flaxman Law Group at 970-999-0530 so you can speak to a Colorado landlord-tenant dispute lawyer in a consultation. Landlord-tenant disputes over tenant duties in Colorado can get contentious, and working with an experienced attorney can help you protect your rights in this situation.

Let’s look at some common tenant duties in Colorado:

• Payment of rent. Tenants are responsible for paying rent on time, as specified in the lease agreement. Failure to pay rent can lead to eviction proceedings.
• Maintenance of the rental unit. Tenants are generally responsible for maintaining the overall cleanliness and orderliness of the rental unit. They should avoid excessive damage or alterations beyond ordinary wear and tear.
• Proper use of the property. Tenants should use the rental property for its intended residential purposes and abide by any restrictions specified in the lease agreement, such as restrictions on smoking, pets, or subletting.
• Compliance with lease terms. Tenants must comply with all requirements in the lease agreement, including regulations established by the landlord. This may include paying the correct security deposit and avoiding anything prohibited in the lease.
• Reporting issues. Tenants should promptly report any necessary repairs to the landlord or property management. Failure to do so can lead to damage in the property.
• Compliance with legal requirements. Tenants are required to comply with all local, state, and federal laws related to their use of the rental property, including building codes. For example, tenants may not have more people in the unit than permitted by building codes and may not block emergency exits.
• Cooperation with inspections and repairs. Landlords may need access to a rental to complete repairs and to maintain the property. Tenants need to make reasonable accommodation for this.

Tenants have these duties to the landlord, but landlords also have obligations to the tenants. They are required to provide a habitable rental, to make timely repairs when needed, and to not interfere with the renter’s peaceful enjoyment of the property.

Conflict can arise when one or more parties fail to live up to their obligations. If communication doesn’t resolve the problem, we invite you to contact Flaxman Law Group at 970-999-0530. We’re conveniently located in Denver and are pleased to offer a consultation to anyone who needs a Colorado landlord-tenant dispute attorney.

Clients turn to us because we have more than 60 years of combined experience at the negotiation table and in the court room. At the same time, our family-based law firm is based on the principles of client care and compassion. We always explain legal concepts clearly to you and you’ll have your attorney’s personal cell phone number so you can always reach us.