Adequate Sanitation in Colorado

Adequate sanitation is key to a safe and habitable living environment in Colorado. Tenants have a right to expect clean conditions in their rental properties, and landlords have a legal obligation to provide and maintain such conditions. However, both tenants and landlords in Boulder, Denver, and other communities can run into difficult-to-resolve problems when it comes to sanitation in rentals.

If this happens to you and you’re having a hard time reaching an agreement, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group. Just call our family-based legal team at 970-999-0530 for a consultation between you and Steven Flaxman, a Colorado landlord-dispute attorney.

Good sanitation protects the rental property and the tenants’ health and safety. It is also an obligation of a Colorado landlord to provide habitable housing to renters, and this means ensuring good sanitation. This can mean:

• Proper waste management so tenants can have trash removed.
• Maintaining clean and properly repaired properties.
• Taking steps to ensure ventilation and decent air quality.
• Having adequate sewage systems that are in good repair.
• Acting quickly to resolve sanitation and health dangers, such as damp-related mold and pests.

Both renters and landlords work together to ensure good sanitation. Tenants are expected to maintain and clean their units while landlords should address maintenance issues and common areas.

Everyone has a different idea of cleanliness and this can cause disputes to arise between landlords and tenants. Renters may want landlords to clean common areas or may feel landlords do not respond to maintenance requests adequately.

A common issue for landlords is when tenants are not tidy. What happens if a tenant litters in common areas or fails to clean their property to the point that neighbors complain?

In these situations, it is best to lead with empathy and to document all communication as well as the state of the property. It is also important for landlords to realize that some mental health conditions, such as depression or a hoarding condition, can cause renters to not clean or to gather dangerous amounts to trash. Both conditions are considered disabilities and renters with these conditions may be protected by fair housing laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Landlords may need to make reasonable accommodations, such as giving renters time to get compliant with the lease agreement.

Since tenant uncleanliness may be related to federal laws, it is best to resolve these disputes with the help of a landlord-tenant attorney, who can keep you compliant. Flaxman Law Group is a family-based law firm, and we take a compassionate approach to every case. No matter how sensitive your situation, we will seek to resolve your situation through mediation, negotiation, and by protecting your rights. Whether you’re a tenant or landlord, if you’re facing a disagreement or non-compliance over sanitation and hygiene in a rental, contact us by calling 970-999-0530. We can set up a consultation for you so you can discuss your concerns with a landlord-tenant attorney at our Denver offices. Our team has more than 60 years of combined experience to help you.