Former tenants win over $10M in lawsuit against Denver apartment complex
Former tenants of the Mint Urban Infinity apartment complex in Denver were recently awarded over $10 million in a lawsuit against the property’s owners and managers. The jury verdict granted approximately $13.5 million to more than 2,000 past residents of the complex. The lawsuit, which was framed as a class action, centered on issues related to the neglect of the property.
The jury’s decision, which came after a long legal battle, indicated that both the property’s ownership, Glendale Properties, and management company, Cardinal Group, were found to be in violation of Colorado’s Warranty of Habitability. The breakdown of fault placed 70% on the property ownership and 30% on the management company. In addition to the general violations, the jury also awarded $200 per unit, per month for the failure to maintain the property under the lease agreement.
The Mint Urban Infinity complex had been under scrutiny for various issues, as reported by Denver7. Tenants complained about the lack of air conditioning, break-ins, black mold, and ongoing elevator malfunctions. Former residents like Shivani Mohan expressed concern over the deteriorating living conditions, citing instances of unauthorized persons entering the building due to missing doors. Another former tenant named Brandon Smith took initiative and rallied other residents to pursue legal action.
In a post-verdict statement, Smith expressed his relief and satisfaction with the outcome, crediting the collective efforts of tenants for standing up against unacceptable living conditions. He highlighted the violations of the Warranty of Habitability by the property’s owners and management, emphasizing the pursuit of monetary gain at the expense of tenants’ basic living standards.
Despite the jury’s decision, Cardinal Group declined to comment directly to Denver7 but expressed disappointment in the verdict, stating that it would negatively impact affordable housing in Denver. However, the tenants’ legal representatives disagreed with this assessment, asserting that it is entirely possible to uphold livability standards while running a profitable business in the affordable housing sector.
The attorneys who represented the former tenants indicated that this case marked the first trial of a class action lawsuit based on the Warranty of Habitability in Colorado. They viewed the jury’s ruling as a significant message to landlords, highlighting the importance of property upkeep and tenant wellbeing. The legal team encouraged tenants to organize and advocate for their rights as a means of ensuring accountability on the part of property owners and managers.
Looking ahead, the tenants’ attorneys anticipated that the defendants might appeal the jury’s decision, suggesting that the legal battle might continue in higher courts. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the outcome of this lawsuit sets a precedent for holding property owners accountable and empowering tenants to demand healthier and safer living conditions.
