Denver has issued more than $80,000 in fines to unlicensed landlords since the ordinance went into effect last year.
DENVER — More than 1,200 Denver landlords remain out of compliance with a city ordinance that requires landlords receive a residential rental license.
The license requires landlords to receive, and pass, a third-party inspection, ensuring rental units are safe and up to code. The change went into effect last year for multi-unit properties and on Jan. 1 for single unit family homes.
“We want to see them complete the process, get the license, and demonstrate to their tenants that they have a place they’re renting out, that is safe,” said Eric Escudero, with Denver Excise and Licenses.
Escudero said landlords who are found out of compliance are issued a warning first, then a $150 fine, followed by a $500 fine and then a $999 fine.
Nearly 23,000 licenses have been issued, but 14 landlords have received the $999 fine without following through with a license.
“The good news is there’s a lot of responsible landlords,” Escudero said. “But unfortunately, we’ve also found some that have refused to get the license, and it’s resulted in the city issuing just about $80,000 in fines to unlicensed landlords.”
Denver City Council member Stacie Gilmore created the legislation and said while it’s encouraging to see most landlords in compliance, the outliers are concerning.
“We need to figure out a better process to address that, so it might be a show-cause hearing or other tools we may have in the city to levy additional fines,” she said. “I want to create more teeth to make sure those property managers or owners are responsible for truly investing in the safety to protect our renters.”
Gilmore said she’s having conversations with multiple departments about how to increase compliance and that it’s critical every property in Denver receives the proper inspection for renter safety.
“Nobody gets a pass anymore,” she said. “If they think they’re going to rent something under the table, the protection and safety of our residents is way too important for that.”
City leaders are asking tenants to check whether their landlord is licensed and to report them if they’re not.
You can check that here.
