Cal. Civ. Code § 38-12-1307
Retaliatory rent increase prohibited.
Operative Text
A landlord shall not increase a tenant's rent in a discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable manner to circumvent the requirements and prohibitions set forth in this part 13.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-12-1307 prohibits landlords from raising a tenant's rent in a way that is discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable when the purpose of that increase is to get around the protections established elsewhere in Part 13 of the same statute. In other words, a rent hike cannot be used as a tool to sidestep tenant-protection rules. The provision targets the motive and manner of the increase, not just its amount.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1307, property owners and managers are expected to ensure that any rent adjustment is grounded in legitimate, documented business reasons—such as market conditions, increased operating costs, or lease renewal terms—rather than as a response to a tenant exercising legal rights. Compliant operators typically maintain records that demonstrate the rationale behind rent changes and apply increases consistently across similarly situated tenants. Increases timed closely to a tenant's complaint or assertion of rights under Part 13 can draw scrutiny under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1307 gives tenants a basis to challenge a rent increase that appears designed to punish them for asserting rights or to work around the protections in Part 13. Tenants who believe a rent hike is retaliatory, discriminatory, or unconscionable in this way may have options such as raising the violation as a defense in an eviction or collection proceeding, filing a complaint with a relevant local or state housing authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Colorado law. Documenting the timeline between any protected activity and the rent increase notice is generally considered useful when pursuing any of these paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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