Unfortunately, even if you do all of your due diligence when screening applicants for your rental properties, individuals can slip through the cracks. Whether it’s spurred by a change in life circumstances, another individual moving in with the original tenant or other circumstances, bad tenants can rapidly impact the living experiences of other tenants in multi-family units and increase your stress. How can you legally remove bad tenants in Denver, Colorado?
How Can You Remove Bad Tenants in Colorado?
The Colorado Landlord and Tenant Act requires you to have a legal reason to end the tenancy before you can take steps to do so. The only way that you can terminate a lease and remove bad tenants through eviction is by completing a Forced Entry and Detainer (FED) legal action that will give you a court order that forces the tenant to vacate the property. You cannot evict a tenant without a court order in Denver, Colorado.
When you go to court to obtain a FED, you need to have one of the following reasons:
- The tenant has not paid rent
- The tenant has violated a term of the lease
- The tenant has committed a substantial violation at or near the property, like a drug-related or violent felony, that endangers a person or the property
- The tenant has refused to leave the rental property at the conclusion of the lease
What Not to Do
Denver law specifically forbids landlords from trying to remove bad tenants using an illegal eviction tactic. Locking a tenant out of their property or changing the locks, physical contact or intimidation and other tactics outlined here can end up getting you into trouble. We encourage you to work with an experienced property management company, like All County Denver Metro Property Management, to screen applicants and remove bad tenants legally.
All County Denver Metro Property Management Is the Right Property Management Company for You
All County Denver Metro Property Management offers all property owners competent and honest property management services. From rental market evaluation to tenant placement, we can assist with all of your needs. Our team of real estate professionals looks forward to hearing from you about how we can make your investment a stress-free asset and keep your tenants happy. Call us at (720) 575-6100 for a free quote.