Is a landlord responsible for a tenets criminal acts by colorado state law?

  • Thread starter Thread starter t-rock
  • Start date Start date
T

t-rock

Guest
please if you can post links to sites with information on this or where you got your info
 
it is a general principle of law that a landlord can be held responsible for some crimes of a tenant if the landlord knows about the crimes and does not report them or in someway facilitates the criminal acts of the tenant

a prime example would be allowing a tenant to run a prostitution ring out of the property...if the landlord knows about it and does nothing the landlord could be charged with some form of accessory to a crime
 
You're not going to find any link to a statute that holds landlords liable for criminal acts by a third party because there isn't any such statute.
This situation would fall under what is known as "warranty of habitability." Your landlord is required to take reasonable measures to ensure health and safety of the tenants. If your landlord knowingly allows gangs and criminals to congregate on the premises, if your landlord fails to provide working locks on your doors and windows, if your landlord does not have adequate lighting then they might be liable. If, however, they have met these conditions and someone still steals your property, breaks into your home, etc. you can not reasonably argue that your landlord is liable. He did not do anything grossly negligent and did not know this would occur but failed to take reasonable measures to prevent it, and he did not fail to provide you with reasonable security measures as provided by law.
You had a bit of bad luck. Nothing you can do about that. Get renters insurance.
 
thelpa.com is a website that lists Landlord/Tenant Laws for Colorado and I am not sure as far as the contents of exactly what is covered and what isn't, but if it isn't what you are looking for, try typing in Landlord/Tenant Laws for Colorado in your web browser (most browsers will display a brief description of the site's contents) and try to do a search for other websites or consult a local attorney (their initial visit is usually free and they will be able to tell you about things from a legal standpoint).

I live in Colorado Springs, myself, btw.
 
Back
Top