Colorado Rental Application Form

A Colorado rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property.

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

It’s sensible to look over the template of a Colorado rental application before starting your own. This can help to give you a better idea of what your final form will look like and the kind of information you’ll need to add to it.

There are two main types of rental applications in Colorado. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used. 

Standard/General Colorado Rental Application

The most common type of vetting document used by CO landlords is the Colorado Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager. 

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application

Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules. 

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Colorado you’ll need to ask for some crucial details from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible.

When you create your own application for a rental property you should request the following information:

• Personal data
• Rental history
• Employment details
• Income information
• Credit history
• Personal references
• Permission for background checks

Additionally, the landlord must provide several legal disclosures on a standard rental application. They must report information on:

• The property’s condition
• Potential hazards to the tenant
• Shared utility arrangements
• Rent control rules
• Smoking policy
• The security deposit
• Associated fees

Colorado state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with CO law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.

Application Fee

There is no limit at the state level in terms of what application fee can be charged by Colorado landlords. However, some cities and communities do set limits for these payments.

Therefore it’s important to check your local housing statutes before setting this amount for the applicant. Furthermore, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of its amount. You must return this deposit within 1 month of the tenancy ending. (C.R.S. 38-12-103)

Security Deposit

Colorado doesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount.

Housing Discrimination Law

Colorado has no specific housing discrimination law, but the Fair Housing Act applies.

You cannot ask about an applicant's race, religion, sex, disability, or similar traits on a rental application or use them in tenant decisions.

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.

Consent Credit Check

Within Colorado, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Managing real estate can be tricky and it is essential to ensure that your activities are legally compliant at all times. Take advantage of the full range of property management legal documents below whenever you need to perform crucial tasks:

• Colorado Residential Lease Agreement
• Colorado Eviction Notice