Colorado ranks poorly when it comes to rights of renters

(Feb. 26) – The House gave preliminary approval today to a bill that improves the rights of renters in Colorado. This commonsense bill would allow improve a renter’s rights if their home becomes uninhabitable or otherwise unfit for human habitation.

“I believe that having a safe and affordable place to live is a cornerstone to self-sufficiency,” said Rep. Jackson, D-. “This is real life. When Coloradans are paying market rents, they deserve to live in a safe and habitable place. This is a very fair, and very necessary bill.”

Under HB19-1170, tenants can notify the landlords of uninhabitable conditions through written notice including through electronic means. The landlord will then have 24-72 hours to begin to address the complaint. If the issues persists, the tenant has a right to withhold an estimate cost of the repairs from their rent payment and they have the right to break a lease if the uninhabitable condition persists.

“If you are paying rent you have the right to expect a home that is safe and healthy to live in, with remedies available if it isn’t–especially in a rental market as challenging as ours is right now,” said Rep. Weissman. D-Aurora.

HB19-1170, Residential Tenants Health And Safety Act, passed on final reading with a vote of 40-23 and now heads to the Senate.The Senate co-prime sponsors are Sen. Angela Williams, D-Denver, and Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village.

House Democrats passed HB19-1106 last week to put in place commonsense limits on the application fees that renters face as they search for their next rental home. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Rep Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood is the Senate sponsor.