Two tracks after a rental fire
In most leases, the owner is responsible for the structure and the tenant for personal belongings. Your lease may add details.
| Landlord or owner | Tenant |
|---|---|
| Securing the building, boarding windows and tarping the roof | Notifying the landlord in writing as soon as possible |
| Repairing walls, floors, wiring, plumbing and built-in appliances | Filing a claim on renters insurance for belongings |
| Cleaning soot and odor from the structure and ductwork | Documenting damaged clothing, furniture and electronics |
| Dealing with their own property insurer | Arranging temporary housing, often through renters coverage |
| Deciding whether the unit is fit to live in during repairs | Removing or storing salvageable items when asked |
Habitability and rent
Colorado law requires landlords to keep rental housing fit to live in, and serious fire or smoke damage can make a unit uninhabitable. What happens to rent and the lease in that case depends on the lease terms and state law, which has changed in recent years. If your unit can't be lived in, put your questions to the landlord in writing and keep copies of every reply.
If a dispute develops over rent, deposit or repairs, tenant advocacy groups and legal aid organizations in the Pikes Peak region can explain your options. Military members can also ask base legal assistance.
What to do in the first two days
Get out and stay safe
Call 911. Don't go back in until the fire department says it's safe.
Tell the landlord in writing
A text or email creates a record. Include the date, what happened and which areas are affected.
Call your renters insurer
Ask about additional living expenses and how to document belongings. If you don't have renters insurance, ask the landlord whether any help is available and check with the Red Cross.
Photograph your belongings
Go room by room before anything is moved. Include closets, drawers and the contents of cabinets.
Keep receipts
Hotel, meals above your normal food costs, laundry and replacement essentials can all matter for a claim.
Questions to ask your landlord
- When do you expect the unit to be repaired, and who is doing the work?
- Will rent be paused or reduced while the unit can't be lived in?
- Can I get into the unit to retrieve belongings, and when?
- Will the ductwork and other units' shared spaces be cleaned before I move back?
- Is there another unit available in the meantime?
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.