Bipartisan Bill Prevents Landlords From Going After Family Members When Someone Dies

DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey that would protect individuals from being financially responsible for costs associated with rental agreements due to the death of a loved one.

“I’m excited that we passed our bipartisan bill to prohibit landlords from charging family members for damages and fees for early lease terminations due to a tenant’s death,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “When someone is grieving the loss of their loved one, they shouldn’t be on the hook for covering outstanding costs associated with the deceased’s rental agreement. This legislation helps protect Coloradans by preventing landlords from collecting thousands of dollars in fees and future rent payments after the death of a family member.”

HB25-1108, known as “Letty’s Act”, would prohibit a rental agreement from requiring a person to pay for certain costs if a rental agreement is terminated due to the death of a tenant. These costs include liquidated damages, rent payments for a period that is beyond the end of the month or more than ten business days after the unit is vacated, and the landlord is provided notice, or fees, damages, or penalties associated with an early termination of the rental agreement.

A 2024 CBS story reported that a family was charged over $4,000 in fees and rent after their loved one died in her apartment, claiming that the death of the tenant meant that she broke her lease early.

HB25-1108, also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, passed by a vote of 53-9.