Helping a Client Find Relief from a Landlord Dispute

Dealing with a challenging landlord can be one of life’s most stressful experiences, especially when your home is at stake.

Colorado renter Troy understands firsthand the frustrating feeling of being under the thumb of a landlord disregarding state law concerning repairs and tenant rights.

Troy realized he needed legal help and turned to Eviction & Landlord Senior Associate Will Salkin. Troy spoke with R&H Marketing to discuss his experience working with Will. 

Past results afford no guarantee of future results; each matter is different and must be judged on its own merits. Facts are those of an actual Robinson & Henry case. We used only our client’s first name to protect his privacy.

Troy’s problems started with water, and these were not just minor plumbing issues. Troy, who rented a multi-level property, discovered water seeping behind the tiles in the master bathroom. Another significant problem involved the upstairs bathroom, where water leaked to the floor below.  

The landlord neglected to make necessary repairs in a timely fashion. Minor concerns quickly escalated into major health and tenant rights violations as Troy found himself living with mold and water leaks. 

“It was a nasty situation,” Troy explained. “Because this is where I live, right?”

After flagging these serious concerns to his landlord, Troy discovered a third problem: his landlord. The landlord responded not with repairs but with an eviction notice.

“There was an invalid attempt to evict,” Troy explained. “It was invalid in terms of the legal nuts and bolts of how it was done. And it was also retaliatory. That’s a problem as well.”

That was the last straw for Troy, who decided something had to change fast. It was time to get a lawyer.

“It was a bad situation,” Troy recalls. “I don’t think anybody is super eager to be speaking to lawyers for the first time. It means you’re having a bad day.”

Troy made the important decision to seek legal counsel. He contacted Robinson & Henry, and the initial consultation provided immediate relief. 

“It was through a chat, and I got a consult either the same day or the next,” he recalled. “It was fast. And at my consult was with Will.”

This quick connection to his attorney, Will, was a turning point. Will focuses exclusively on landlord-tenant law in Colorado. This specialization was very insightful. 

Will quickly identified violations of Colorado’s Warranty of Habitability law. 

“He told me straight away, ‘This is what I do. I stay in this little corner of Colorado law.’ And I thought — thank goodness. What a relief,” Troy said. “It was a good feeling.”

What stood out about working with Will wasn’t just his knowledge of the law. He could navigate complex legal issues quickly and strategically.

Will explained complex legal concepts, including the Warranty of Habitability and its breaches, in an understandable way. 

“To be working with Will and have all his experience and have his knowledge and his strategy with me was absolutely huge,” Troy said.

The legal battle wasn't without its challenges. The landlord attempted a retaliatory eviction. However, Will provided guidance, showing how this violated the law and created further options for Troy.

Colorado Landlord-Tenant laws have changed considerably over the past couple of years. One of the major changes has been a bolstering of the Warranty of Habitability and the Landlord’s requirements to timely repair issues that can affect a tenant’s life, health or safety. These changes have created quite the confusion and proliferation of inaccurate information for both Landlords and Tenants alike.

By focusing solely on Landlord-Tenant law, our team is equipped to employ a laser-like focus on its rapidly evolving landscape. Working solely on this area of law allows us to both stay on the cutting edge of new laws, caselaw, and legal interpretation, as well as being the torchbearers of our field by guiding clients through this maze of uncertainty.

Troy, like many of our clients, came to us with a serious Warranty of Habitability issue that was snowballing further out of control. We immediately assessed the situation, took practical steps to remedy the situation, and engaged in a fruitful negotiation and make our client whole again. 

As representation was ongoing, the landlord added fuel to the fire by initiating a retaliatory eviction. We stood our client’s ground, making sure that the facts and the law took precedence and that Troy’s rights as a tenant were kept intact. 

The legal process lasted months and was an emotional journey. Will’s diligent work and Troy’s perseverance led to a positive outcome. Troy ended up receiving a settlement.

“Ultimately, I ended up getting a settlement as a result of the legal process we stepped through,” he said. “This legal settlement is the best I could have hoped for.”

Despite the difficult journey, the result was a relief. Troy believes he would have been much worse off had he tried to handle his landlord on his own.

 “From that starting point, I just don’t see that I could have ended up with anything better than what we ended up achieving here,” he said. “The long, hard road that we walked — it was quite a win. I’m most pleased.”

For renters facing unsafe living conditions or retaliation from their landlords, Troy’s experience offers hope. Knowing your rights and having the right legal team can make all the difference.