Denver, CO asked in Landlord - Tenant for Colorado

Q: Can I hold my tenant responsible for damages to the house if I dont have a contract?

I am a renter and dont have a contract with my tenants. My landlord is withholding an amount from my deposit of some damages caused to the home which I intend to split with my other tenants. If I dont have a contract with them but they paid a deposit, can they refuse not to pay? Then what? Do I have the right to kick them out? What are the laws about asking someone to vacate? Do they have a right to squat?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: You have contractual obligations to your Landlord.

Your tenants (subtenants) have contractual obligations to you (sublandlord) even if the contract is verbal.

If your subtenants don't comply with the agreement and/or you ask them to leave and they don't then you'll need to get the courts involved to deal with the possession issue (eviction) or money issue (small claims court - breach of contract).

Good Luck!

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