When you own a rental property in Colorado, you need to be aware of the duties of care that you owe your tenants and the right way to handle issues that have happened on your property related to an accident. When landlords are negligent, there can be serious penalties leveled against them for the neglect of their property. Knowing Colorado premises liability laws and the standards that you are supposed to adhere to when you are managing a rental property is critical to responsible ownership of your rental.
The more that you know about the way you should handle an accident at your rental, the less likely you will be to end up in legal trouble over it. There are lots of details that do have to be managed when you own a rental property, but you need to put safety at the top of your list. Rental owners need to be sure that they are taking all the right steps to care for their property, but sometimes things are missed along the way that can lead to accidents.
As a renter, you also need to be aware of what your landlord is responsible for and what the duty of care is for your rental. Knowing your rights is important in the instance that you are hurt due to your landlord being negligent. One of the most common reasons for negligence is penny-pinching or a lack of interest in coming to the property to deal with issues. This is why tenants need to know their rights related to their rental contract.
What Are Landlords Responsible For?
You will need to know what you are responsible for at your rental property, and you will want to keep up with the changes that can take place in the laws and rules related to rentals in the state of Colorado. The better informed you are about what you are required to do for your tenants, the less likely you will be to run into real trouble with anything to do with your property.
- A habitable unit
- Repairs for broken items
- Utilities that are in good condition
- Wiring that is safe
- Hot and cold running water
- Plumbing
- Light fixtures that work
- Collecting rent
All of the things that are required of landlords in the state of Colorado are laid out in the Warranty of Habitability Statute. This statute covers what issues a landlord must attend to on behalf of the tenant and also covers the response times and other factors that are connected with handling issues on the property. Landlords have 24 hours to respond to some problems and longer periods to handle things like mold. You will want to know what the allowed response time is for each kind of problem and also how you are required to notify your renter of work delays or other information related to the issue.
Types of Accidents That Can Happen Due to Landlord Negligence
There are many kinds of accidents that can happen in the state of Colorado due to landlord negligence. This is why following the rules related to the Warranty of Habitability is so important. The safety of tenants is protected by law, and you do not want to be the reason for your tenant being hurt.
Common accidents related to landlord neglect are slips and falls, shocks from exposed electrical wiring, issues with illness related to black mold or other kinds of microorganisms, cuts, and bruises related to a variety of different kinds of improper maintenance, and accidents due to a lack of proper lighting around the home. There can also be issues related to things like fires or even gas explosions due to negligence of the property.
How to Determine if Your Accident Happened Due to Landlord Negligence
If you think that your landlord’s negligence caused your accident, you need to look at the Warranty of Habitability Statute carefully. This statute should make it clear what your landlord did wrong, if anything, that led to your accident. If you have found that your landlord was indeed negligent in their treatment of the property, you will need to collect evidence for your case. Take pictures and get the information of any witnesses who saw the accident take place.
The next step is to secure a lawyer who is skilled in this area of law. You will need the support of a legal expert to help you to secure a satisfactory response from your landlord. Whether you are trying to break your lease and move to a better place to live or you need help with your medical bills or compensation for pain and suffering, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. There are many steps that need to be taken to collect the evidence that is required to secure a positive judgment on your behalf, and a skilled lawyer can take care of this for you.
You might have been seriously injured related to the negligence of the property that you rented, and you deserve the compensation necessary to help you to pay for treatment and to get your life back on track. Working with a skilled Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case, and you will not be sorry that you took the time to secure a legal professional to help with your case.
Work With Bussey Law Today
If you have been injured at a property that you are renting, you will need to seek the skilled support of the legal team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.. Getting expert help with your case can make all the difference in its outcome, and you will want to be certain that you have the right team working hard on your behalf.
Contact us today at Bussey Law and get scheduled for your free consultation. We can support you with your landlord negligence case and help you to get the outcome that you deserve!