BEWARE OF KNOW YOUR STUFF: UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANT RENTAL SCAMS CITY CODES & ORDINANCES By: The CSU Off-Campus Life Staff While there are many codes and ordinances within the city, there are a few that get discussed a little more frequently among students. Here is your chance to get a glimpse of how some of these ordinances may have an impact on you. UNREASONABLE NOISE: A violation of this ordinance can come with a $1,000+ price tag (per resident!) and a criminal misdemeanor. In the City of Fort Collins unreasonable noise is determined, typically, when noise is heard beyond property lines. When a noise complaint is called into Fort Collins Police Services, an officer is sent to determine if the level of noise is unreasonable by considering the time of day, type of noise, and other factors. While you may think you are doing a good job at keeping the noise down, it is always wise to go outside and walk around your property line to determine if noise can be heard from your residence. NUISANCE GATHERING ORDINANCE: This ordinance holds party hosts accountable for any damage to neighboring properties as a result of their gathering. A conviction carries a $1,000+ fine, in ADDITION to the cost of any repairs needed, with the possibility of jail time or community service hours. Examples of these damages include trash and litter, public urination, and vandalism. Remember, as a party host you are responsible for what happens at, and as a result of, your party, including the actions of others. For information on how to avoid receiving these citations, check out the Party Smart article.
Those are some heavy hitters, but how about other codes and ordinances that could have a smaller impact on you? Whether you rent or own, there are several important nuisance ordinances to be aware of. If violations are not corrected in the allotted time, the City will bill the property owner for the expense, which may be passed down to tenants. The City may also issue citations for chronic problem properties or for violations that can’t be corrected by a contractor.
The potential renter usually has some kind of money transaction problem and has a “friend” or intermediary in the states that can send a money order. Typically, the amount being sent is over the required deposit amount. Before the landlord, property manager, or renter finds out that the money order or traveler’s check is fraudulent, the potential renter has backed out of renting the unit for some reason and has asked for the deposit or overage back.
Trash: Residents are not allowed to accumulate trash and discarded items. Trash containers must be stored out of view from the street.
Although we want to stress that there are genuine requests for rental housing coming from abroad, we offer the following suggestions to determine the legitimacy of the requests.
Snow: You are responsible for clearing snow and ice off the public sidewalks adjacent to your property within 24 hours of accumulation. Remember it’s easier to shovel fresh snow!
Things to watch for: • The emails usually have notable grammatical errors. • The interested renter wants to use an intermediary or friend to make payment.
Sofas: Furniture manufactured for indoor use is prohibited in outdoor areas. This includes unenclosed porches. Weeds: Weeds and grass on your property can only be up to 6 inches tall. As a renter, it is important to know that a violation of any of the above mentioned may cost you additional fees assessed by your property manager. So, what happens if you have received any citations related to the issues above? PUBLIC NUISANCE ORDINANCE (PNO): The PNO is a tool for managing chronic problem properties. Properties are considered problematic when citations occur on a regular basis. Property owners are accountable for the use of their properties and the behaviors of tenants. If a property receives two citations (of the same kind) within six months, three citations (of any kind) in a year, or five citations (of any kind) in two years, the tenants and property owner can be held responsible under the PNO which may require eviction. It is important to note that citations follow the property, so be aware of your property’s prior citations to avoid costly fines or possible eviction. You can check on property violation history by calling Neighborhood Services at the City of Fort Collins at (970) 224-6046.
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By: The CSU Off-Campus Life Staff It’s that time of year when rental scams start happening to landlords, property managers and unsuspecting tenants. This is especially prominent on independent sites such as Craigslist. The communication usually begins via email from someone out of the country (UK, Australia, Kenya, etc.) who wants a room or place to rent.
304 West Prospect Road • Fort Collins, CO 80526 (970) 482-9513 • https://csurf.org/prospect-plaza-apartments/ Conveniently located at the south edge of the CSU campus.
Looking for an apartment for Fall 2022? Leasing opens Monday, March 15, 2022
Open to CSU Students ONLY Get right out of bed and walk or bike across the street to campus! Select from studio, one-, and twobedroom furnished apartments, ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED.
Suggestions on how to avoid a rental scam: • Never accept more payment that the amount you request. • Always ask for references. • Google the potential renter’s name to see if anything comes up that is of concern. • Inspect the money order by holding a note up to the light and looking for a watermark picture of Ben Franklin on the left side. There should also be a dark security thread running to the right of the watermark, with the tiny letters “USPS” facing backward and forward. You can also take the money order to the nearest post office for examination. • Take the money order or check to your bank and don’t give any money away until the check is fully processed and approved. Counterfeiting is a felony, punishable with a fine of up to $250,000 and up to twenty years in prison.
To report a postal money order scam: call the local post office or Postal Inspectors at (303) 313-5320. To report a fraud complaint, call the Fraud Complaint Hotline at 1-800-372-8347 or visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Service web site at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/.
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