Rental Safety Check

Looks like the landlord may NOT be responsible for fixing the issue.

If you are a renter, you may not qualify for taking legal action at this time.

If the issue was caused by the renter, someone who lives with the renter, or the renter’s guest, then the renter may be responsible for fixing the issue. This could happen if damage is done on purpose or by being careless.
If the issue is outside the renter’s unit (like in a common area) and does not affect the renter’s unit, then the landlord may not be required to fix the issue.
If the renter prevented the landlord or someone else from fixing the issue, the renter should give the landlord permission to fix the issue.
If the landlord has taken reasonable steps to fix the issue, then the renter must allow the landlord a reasonable amount of time to finish fixing the issue.

You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project with questions.

Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project

Rental Home Safety Checker

Is your home safe? Let's find out.

If your home has one of the issues above your landlord needs to fix the issue. Before you take any action, let's make sure you qualify.

If your home does not have one of the issues listed above, your landlord may not be required to fix the issue.

Does your rental home have any of the following issues?

Mold caused by dampness
Dampness that impacts your health or safety (does not include minor mold in places you would expect, such as in bathrooms.
Walls or roof that are letting in the weather or not maintained
Broken windows or doors
Plumbing issues
Gas issues
No running water
No hot water
Heating issues
Lighting or electrical issues
Shared areas (like a lobby, yard, or garage) are not clean or have garbage
Your home or shared areas (like a lobby, yard, or garage) have pests like rats or bugs
Not enough trash cans
Floors, stairways, or railings are broken
Missing or broken locks on doors or windows
Other serious health and safety code violations

One or more issues None of the above I'm not sure

If your home has one of the issues above your landlord needs to fix the issue. Before you take any action, let's make sure you qualify.

If your home does not have one of the issues listed above, your landlord may not be required to fix the issue.

If your home has one of the issues listed previously, your landlord needs to fix the issue. Before you take any action, let's make sure you qualify.

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If your home does not have one of the issues listed previously, your landlord may not be required to fix the issue. You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project with questions or to request free, one-on-one assistance from a qualified attorney.

Back Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project

Do you need help understanding these options? You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project with questions or to request free, one-on-one assistance from a qualified attorney.

Back Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project

Do you qualify for legal action?

If you've already identified that your home has a serious issue, the next step is to see if you are qualified to take legal action.

Are all of the following true?

The issue was caused NOT by you or your guests misbehaving (does not apply to victims of domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking)
If the issue is in the common area, it affects you within your own home
You did NOT prevent the landlord (or anyone else) from fixing the issue
You are listed on the rental agreement
The landlord has NOT taken reasonable steps to fix the issue
It is possible for the landlord to fix the issue

None of the above are true

One or more of the above is true

I'm not sure

If none of the above are true, your landlord needs to fix the issue. Tell your landlord about the issue immediately by sending them a letter.

Create a Letter

If any of the above are true, your landlord is not required to fix the issue.

However, you can still send your landlord a letter describing the issue you're having and ask them to repair it.

Create a Letter

Do you need help understanding these options? You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project to request free, one-on-one assistance from a qualified attorney.

Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project

All are true One or more is false I'm not sure

Looks like your home may be unsafe and it's your landlord's responsibility to fix it. Tell your landlord in writing as soon as possible. We can help you create a letter to your landlord.

Back Continue

It looks like your landlord may not be responsible for fixing the issue, meaning you may not qualify for taking legal action. You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project with questions or to request free, one-on-one assistance from a qualified attorney.

Back Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project

Do you need help understanding these options? You can contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project with questions or to request free, one-on-one assistance from a qualified attorney.

Back Contact the Colorado Poverty Law Project