SUPPORTING COLORADO LANDLORDS
Local Trade Organization Dedicated to Helping Landlords
C.O.L.A. in the News
New Law Restricts Pet Rent & Deposits On Colorado Landlords
Effective January 1, 2024, Colorado landlords and real estate investors have new restrictions on what they can charge to tenants who have pets.
Among other items the new restrictions include:
- Insurance companies may not restrict any dog breeds.
- Landlords may not charge more than $300 as a pet deposit.
- Landlords may not charge pet rent of more than $35 or 1.5% of the monthly rent.
Initial Take on Rocket's Acquisition of Redfin
It is an interesting move, all around
Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), a fintech platform known for mortgage and real estate businesses, is acquiring Redfin (NASDAQ: RDFN), a major digital real estate brokerage, for $1.75 billion in an all-stock deal ($12.50 per share). The acquisition could significantly disrupt Zillow’s dominance, creating a strong integrated real estate platform combining mortgage services with a leading online home search and brokerage presence. This move has already impacted Zillow’s stock negatively and positions Rocket and Redfin as a serious competitor in the industry.
Deep Dive: How RL Property Management Dramatically Reduced Client Churn
RL Property Management conducted an in-depth churn analysis, revealing a peak churn rate of 3.3% monthly (~40% annually) due to client dissatisfaction with maintenance quality, pricing, economic conditions, communication gaps, and misaligned client expectations.
Client Churn at RL Property Management, Trailing 2 Years
Starting in October, the company implemented targeted improvements focusing on better communication, enhanced customer service, and internal process alignment. This successfully reduced churn to the current rate of 1.4% monthly (~17% annually), with analysis highlighting the critical retention windows during client onboarding and the first vacancy period, enabling focused efforts to further enhance client retention.
How Real Estate Transactions Affect Your Taxes
Buying, selling, or improving a home significantly impacts your taxes. When selling, homeowners may face capital gains taxes, but can exclude up to $250,000 of gains ($500,000 for married couples) if they've lived in the home for two of the last five years. Mortgage interest deductions and property tax considerations also affect taxable income, particularly early in homeownership.
Additionally, major home improvements—such as renovations, structural changes, and energy-efficient upgrades—increase your property's tax basis, potentially reducing taxable gains when selling. Maintaining organized digital records of real estate documents and home improvement expenses ensures you're prepared for tax season and maximizes your financial benefits.
Colorado Housing Coalition – Legislative Update (February 2025)
The Colorado Housing Coalition (CHC) is actively reviewing proposed legislation for the 2025 session. Key bills include HB25-1004, which would prohibit pricing coordination among landlords (CHC opposes due to overly broad definitions); HB25-1010, aiming to prevent price gouging (CHC seeks amendments to exclude real estate); and HB25-1090, addressing transparency in rental fees (CHC seeks amendments for practicality in rental advertising).
The CHC also supports bills easing third-party administration for housing programs (HB25-1019) and simplifying language requirements for tenant notices (HB25-1196). It opposes HB25-1235, mandating jury trials in eviction proceedings, due to potential delays and resource burdens. Several other bills related to tenant protections, domestic violence survivors, mold disclosures, pet ownership, tenant screening, and housing subsidies are under review with CHC actively advocating for balanced amendments to protect property managers and tenants alike.
Converting Tenants to home-buyers.... is it possible?
Marc shares thoughts on how property managers should think about the idea of converting tenants to home-buyers.
Including:
- Is it a conflict of interest?
- Is it the best use of your limited time?
- Does our office do it?
- The best solution
Navigate Rental Property Management With Expert Landlords
Welcome to the Colorado Landlords Association (COLA), a professional trade organization dedicated to providing resources, renting knowledge, and support for landlords across Colorado. Whether you're an experienced multifamily landlord, own a few duplexes, or are considering purchasing your first rental property, COLA is here to help you know your rights as a landlord and succeed in the industry.
As a member of COLA, you'll have access to valuable educational materials, informative updates on rental industry news, and networking opportunities with fellow landlords. Our mission is to empower landlords with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the challenges of property management and create thriving rental businesses.
Recommended Vendors and Sponsors
