HB 04-1340 sponsored by Representative Michael Merrifield, would have put landlords
and tenants on a level playing field. It would have allowed a tenant to terminate
a lease if they discovered a major defect in their apartment or house, followed
certain procedures to notify the landlord, and the landlord failed to remedy
the defect within a specified number of days.
The bill would also have required certain landlords to hold tenants’ security
deposits in escrow accounts; landlords would have been required to give tenants
written copies of their leases. Additionally, HB-1340 would have entitled a
tenant, under certain circumstances, to inspect their particular dwelling unit,
prior to signing their lease. The bill would also have established a three-day
grace period for payment of rent before the landlord could impose late fees,
and would also have established the maximum late fee.
Statement of Nicole A. Boojamra, CoPIRG consumer attorney: It is unfortunate
that this bill did not pass out of committee today. Colorado is one of only
two states with no meaningful landlord tenant laws on the state level. No one
should have to live without heat or hot water, or with insects or rodents. Existing
local laws are insufficient; Colorado needs centralized, enforceable landlord-tenant
laws.
The mission of CoPIRG is to be the premier public interest organization
in Colorado. For more information visit www.copirg.org.
