A Colorado lease agreement is a contract for renting property. Landlords should obtain the tenant’s personal information to run a credit and background check to verify their ability to pay rent.
Rental Application – a form that landlords use to gather personal information and obtain consent from tenants to run a credit check and background report.
Types of Agreements
Standard Lease Agreement – A standard lease agreement is a fixed-term contract that specifies the beginning and end dates, typically for a year.
Commercial Lease Agreement – For any non-residential property, including land, office, retail, industrial, or storage space, this is a Commercial Lease Agreement.
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A “tenancy at will” or month-to-month lease agreement is a type of rental contract that lacks a specified termination date and can be cancelled by either the landlord or tenant upon providing a notice to the other party. This agreement affords both parties significant flexibility, as it permits tenants to vacate the property without penalty and landlords to terminate the lease without cause, subject to certain legal requirements. Such arrangements can be useful for individuals seeking temporary housing or landlords looking to maintain flexibility in their rental arrangements.
Rent-To-Own Lease Agreement – This document presents a professional and respectful rent-to-own lease agreement template for residential properties. Our lease agreement includes the option for the tenant to purchase the premises, which allows for a more flexible and accommodating housing solution.
Room (roommate) Rental Lease Agreement – This document outlines the terms of a Roommate Agreement, which is a contractual agreement between individuals sharing a rental unit. The purpose of this agreement is to establish clear expectations and guidelines regarding payment, cleaning, and everyday responsibilities.
Sublease Agreement – A sublease agreement can be utilized to allow a subtenant to take over another individual’s lease, provided they acquire written consent from the landlord. This process ensures all parties are in agreement before any action is taken.
Disclosures (required)
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form – Any housing structure built before 1978 requires Lead Paint Disclosure under federal law.
Radon Disclosure (C.R.S. § 38-12-803) – Landlords in Colorado must comply with the Radon Disclosure law (C.R.S. § 38-12-803). They are required to reveal any information they have regarding radon concentrations at the property and issue a warning statement to potential tenants about the dangers of radon. Additionally, landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the brochure on radon and real estate from the Department of Health & Environment.
Security Deposit
Maximum – The maximum amount of security deposit that a landlord can charge in Colorado (C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5) is an amount that is equal to or less than two month’s rent.
Return – In the absence of a specified timeframe in the lease agreement, the landlord is obligated to return the security deposit within one month. However, if the lease agreement outlines a specific deadline for the return of the security deposit, the landlord must adhere to such a deadline, which cannot exceed sixty days. In cases where the lease has been terminated as a result of hazardous conditions arising from gas equipment, the tenant is entitled to receive their security deposit within a maximum of seventy-two hours. It is important to note that landlords must strictly comply with these legal requirements, and failure to do so may result in legal repercussions.
Grace Period
In the state of Colorado, lessees are granted a seven (7) day grace period for tardy rental payments. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 38-12-105, property owners are prohibited from imposing any fees or penalties on rental payments until the eighth (8th) day. If the tenant fails to remit payment by the conclusion of the grace period, the landlord may issue a ten-day notice to vacate.
Late Fees
Written Disclosure – Colorado landlords or their agents can charge late fees if disclosed on the lease (C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1)(c)).
Maximum Penalty – Landlords may charge a late fee of $50 or 5% of past due rent, whichever is greater, as the maximum penalty (C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1)).
Right to Enter
In the state of Colorado, landlords are not obligated to furnish tenants with prior notice before entering their premises.
However, it is highly recommended that landlords provide a notice period of 24 to 48 hours in advance of non-emergency entry.