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.
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
In Colorado, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics:
- Race
- Color
- Nationality
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
- Criminal history
As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on a Colorado Rental Application form nor to include them in the decision-making process.
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).