Warranty of Habitability Legislation Advances through the Senate Local Government Committee
March 14, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Local Government Committee today voted 4-to-1 to advance HB19-1170, Residential Tenants Health And Safety Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Angela Williams (D-Denver) and Jeff Bridges (D-Arapahoe County). This legislation would protect renters whose landlords are slow to fix vital repairs, putting the health and safety of their tenants at risk. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“Our goal is to protect tenants without harming the businesses of reputable landlords,” said Senator Williams. “Every Colorado tenant should be guaranteed a safe living space so they can focus on the important things in life like family, school, and careers – without having to worry about serious issues such as water leaks or broken heating systems.”
“I believe that every Coloradan deserves a fair shot at success, and a safe place to call home is the foundation of that chance to get ahead,” said Senator Bridges. “Protections for Colorado’s renters haven’t been updated in over a decade, and it is time to put the health and safety of our renters in every corner of this state first.”
HB19-1170 would give renters greater control when facing problems like insect infestations and maintenance issues. The legislation would require landlords to house tenants in a comparable unit or pay to have them moved while repairs are underway. It would also allow tenants to more easily withhold rent if repairs are not made, while giving landlords a time limit on making such repairs.
To learn more about SB-1170, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1170.
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