Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Colorado

Foreclosure/ Paying rent

I know the landlord has the right to collect rent up until they lose ownership (125 days is ridiculous), but what if I know for a fact that the F.B.I. is looking for the scumbag real estate Broker that set up the whole deal with my current sleazy landlord? I have been informed by a previous owner of the same residence that my current landlord (who is in foreclosure) never should have been given the loan and it was a shady deal from day one. She probably has not made a single mortgage payment. Can I quit lining her pocket with rent money and take the chance she would be too scared and cheap to take me to court? We want to move within 60 days anyways and would like to screw her out of 2 months rent since we know we'll never ever see our deposit. I know about the 3x the amount stipulation but we'd rather just get some free rent and move on. Should we call her bluff when she threatens us with an eviction over the phone (eminent). She's not even bothering to rent out the back unit (duplex) since she's losing the property in mid June. What do you think? Time to put on a poker face? Should I bluff her that the F.B.I. came to the house looking for her? Is there a step I can take to drag it out until we are ready to move? Sincerely, Mr. A


Asked on 2/27/08, 4:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
L. Eric Lundgren Lundgren Law Offices, P.C.

Re: Foreclosure/ Paying rent

If you signed a lease agreement on the property, you probably signed a binding legal contract, regardless of how "shady" the landlord might be. If you choose not to pay your rent, your landlord can probably evict you and pursue you in Court for the back rent. I suspect a Court would not take kindly to your desire to "screw her our of two months rent" on the speculation that you will never see your deposit. I would not advise you to breach your lease agreement. You can always sue for your deposit if the landlord does not refund it on time.

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Answered on 2/27/08, 4:26 pm


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