Landlord Construction Notice Rights

Summary

Landlords in Colorado must provide habitable properties. Prolonged construction disrupting quiet enjoyment may allow tenants to negotiate rent reduction or break the lease. Document all communications and incidents.

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My landlord is planning on doing upwards of 30 days of construction on my unit, while I live in it
Hello ****, I understand your situation. In Colorado, landlords are required to ensure that rental properties are habitable. Prolonged construction could violate this:
- Landlords must provide a habitable property.
- Tenants have the right to withhold rent if this isn't met.
Do you have a written agreement with your landlord about this construction?
Kind of. I was provided a paper on my door yesterday warning me about it. It says that since they're replacing windows, the construction people need full access to my apartment, including "securing" my cats and moving all furniture at least * feet away from windows
I see. If the construction disrupts your quiet enjoyment of the property or makes it uninhabitable, you may have options under Colorado law:
- You could negotiate a temporary reduction in rent.
- You might be able to break your lease without penalty.
It's crucial to communicate your concerns in writing to your landlord.
What should I say to my landlord?
You can write a formal letter stating your concerns about the construction's impact on your quiet enjoyment of the property. Request a rent reduction, schedule adjustments to minimize disruption, or ask for alternative accommodation during this period. Remember to keep a copy of this communication.
The paper they gave also said that they can't provide warning or appointments for the construction, and that the construction people can enter at any time during the 30 day period
In Colorado, landlords generally must provide reasonable notice before entering a tenant's unit. If your agreement doesn't specify, you can request this in your letter. If they don't comply, you may seek legal remedies. Always document incidents of unannounced entries for future reference.