Jury favors Denver tenants in landlord lawsuit
Tenants residing at the Mint Urban Infinity apartment complex have celebrated a hard-fought victory in a class-action lawsuit against their landlords due to poor living conditions at the complex after a lengthy legal battle spanning four years. The lawsuit, which finally culminated in an eight-day trial at Denver District Court, highlighted the dire maintenance neglect by Mint Urban’s property manager and owner, who failed to adhere to the Colorado Warranty of Habitability and the terms outlined in the tenants’ leases.
An august attorney representing the plaintiffs, Jason Legg, expressed his enthusiasm about the ruling, emphasizing the importance of holding the property managers accountable for fulfilling their basic obligations to renters across the state. Legg, who has been involved in this legal conflict since its inception in 2021, noted that properties such as Mint Urban should be more proactive in maintaining habitable living conditions for tenants, underscoring the necessity for renters to rally together to advocate for their rights more robustly.
During the legal battle, Cardinal Group Management, the blamed property manager, shifted blame for the maintenance issues at Mint Urban, pointing fingers at the property owners’ reluctance to allocate funds for upkeep and subsequent delays incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, Glendale Properties I and II, the property owners, contended that they had consistently strived to address the complex’s maintenance requirements promptly.
The seven-person jury unanimously concluded that inhabitants of Mint Urban during the period from September 2018 to June 2022 had undoubtedly endured substandard living conditions, violating the tenants’ rights outlined in the Warranty of Habitability over this duration. Consequently, the jurors awarded impacted residents 32.4% of their monthly rent costs as compensation. Furthermore, acknowledging the defendants’ lack of adherence to the lease agreements, the jury additionally granted a $200 stipend to each member of the impacted class.
Based on an average monthly rent estimate of approximately $1,200, the cumulative damages levied against the defendants are projected to reach a substantial sum of around $13.5 million, a hefty penalty stemming from the systemic neglect of tenant rights and property management oversight. This case serves as a beacon of hope for tenants across the state, empowering them to stand firm in demanding suitable living conditions from errant landlords who seek to neglect their basic responsibilities.
