Being a landlord can be a difficult job. When you’re a landlord, there are several things to know to ensure you comply with the law. One of the many laws that you need to be aware of is known as warranty of habitability. We spoke to local Denver attorney Kyle Bachus of Bachus & Schanker about everything landlords should know about this essential law for property owners.
What Is the Warranty of Habitability?
The warranty of habitability states that a landlord must provide a tenant with a place that’s fit to be occupied. In other words, a rented property must meet minimally acceptable standards. There cannot be a condition on the property that endangers the life, health, or safety of the tenant. The warranty of habitability is a law that requires the landlord to keep their property in acceptable condition for the tenant.
Colorado Warranty of Habitability Laws
The Colorado warranty of habitability law is the stated in Residential Tenants Health and Safety Act, Colorado Revised Statutes 38-12-503, and Colorado House Bill 1170. The law requires landlords to guarantee that a property is a fit place to occupy. The warranty of habitability is implied between every landlord and tenant. The Colorado warranty of habitability law requires the property owner to fix any dangers to life...
2017-06-28
According to the hottest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Prices Indices report, Metro Denver continues to be one of the top 4 leading U.S. markets for year-over-year home prices.
The region saw an increase in sales costs of 8.2 percent in April from last year, subsequent annual profits of 8.4 percent in March and 8.5 percent in February.
The 20-city typical gain in the year end in April has been 5.7 percent, along with the national average of 5.5 percent.
As for monthly resale increases, Denver saw a 1.3 percent gain in April relative to the previous month, not seasonally adjusted, the same for March. The 20 average monthly increase as well as the overally nationan-wide gain were 0.9 percent.
Denver's Case-Shiller housing price index in April climbed to an all-time record of 196.69. That usually means that local house resale prices soared 96.69 percent greater than they had been at the benchmark month of January 2000.
Nationally, average home-resale costs hit a record high for the 5th consecutive month the new report stated.
The Case-Shiller index is compiled by comparing matched-price pairs for thousands of single-family homes in each market. This report used numbers from metro Denver covering a 10-county area: Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson and Park counties.
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When it comes to energy efficiency, look for smart features and expertise to help you save energy and money and add value to your home.
1. Begin with a Right-Sized Home.
If the home you buy is simply too large for you or your family’s needs or plans, you stand a good chance of wasting energy through excessive heating and cooling costs. If it’s too small, you’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable. It’s a big investment, so seek balance and buy it “right” from the outset.
2. Purchase Energy Star Appliances Such as Your TV, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer, and Microwave.
And especially the refrigerator, as it alone contributes about 10 percent of the energy use in a home. Also, unplug electronics not in use or turn off power strips to avoid phantom charges.
3. Install Efficient Lighting Such as Compact Fluorescent (CLF) or LED Bulbs in Every Fixture.
Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of an energy bill each year.
4. Get an Energy Audit and Have Tests Performed to Identify Ways of Improving Your Efficiency.
You can always upgrade your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as your thermal envelope, which includes insulation, windows, and doors and the seals or weather stripping around them. Visit energy.gov/energytips for more tips.
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