Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood property management with transparent pricing and local expertise
- Population
- 156,868 (2024 Census estimate)
- Average rent
- $1,796 avg. apartment rent (Sep 2026)
- Median home value
- $592,200 median (ACS 2024)
- County
- Jefferson County
Lakewood is Jefferson County’s biggest city, with 156,868 residents and a steady, middle-of-the-market rental profile. RentCafe’s September 2026 average apartment rent was $1,796 against a $592,200 median home value (ACS 2024), a better ratio than Denver proper while still offering long-term appreciation from foothills proximity. Most of the stock is postwar ranches, split-levels and townhomes, with newer infill around Belmar and the W Line.
The largest single employer is the Denver Federal Center, with roughly 8,000 federal workers, and Jeffco Public Schools adds about 3,700 more. Red Rocks Community College brings students and staff, and the seven W Line stations make the Colfax and 13th Avenue corridors workable for renters who commute downtown. Belmar is the walkable core, while Green Mountain and Bear Creek draw families who want trail access and good schools without a Golden price tag.
Lakewood does not license long-term rentals; the city’s 2023 rental licensing ordinance, Chapter 5.55, covers short-term rentals only. That leaves state law in charge: Colorado’s security-deposit, late-fee, pet-deposit and for-cause eviction rules all apply. The practical work here is maintenance. Many homes are 50 to 70 years old with original sewer lines, aging furnaces and hail-exposed roofs, and every fall needs a sprinkler blowout before the first freeze. We price, lease and maintain with those realities in mind.
What drives rental demand in Lakewood
- Denver Federal Center (about 8,000 federal employees)
- Jeffco Public Schools (about 3,700 employees)
- Red Rocks Community College
- Seven RTD W Line stations
- Belmar shopping and dining district
- Foothills access via Green Mountain and Bear Creek Lake Park
Lakewood neighborhoods and areas we serve
- Belmar
- Green Mountain
- Bear Creek
- Union Square
- Eiber
- Two Creeks
- Morse Park
- Southern Gables
- Kendrick Lake
ZIP codes served: 80214, 80215, 80226, 80227, 80228, 80232, 80235.
Local knowledge
What Lakewood landlords need to know
No long-term rental license
Lakewood requires a license only for short-term rentals under Chapter 5.55 (adopted 2023). Long-term rentals have no city license or registration, so Colorado statutes govern deposits, late fees, notices and evictions. Rules can change, so verify with the city if you are buying a new rental.
Postwar homes need preventive maintenance
Much of Lakewood’s single-family stock dates from the 1950s through the 1970s. Plan for sewer-line scopes at turnover, furnace and water-heater replacement cycles, older electrical panels and hail-driven roof claims. Annual sprinkler blowouts prevent the cracked backflow preventers that otherwise show up every spring.
Federal and school calendars shape demand
Federal Center employees and Jeffco school staff often time moves around fiscal years and the school calendar. Leases that end in late spring or early summer usually re-lease fastest; we adjust lease lengths to land your renewals in that window.
Price to the current market
Denver-metro vacancy was about 5.7% in Q3 2026 and most submarkets saw flat or lower rents year over year. Lakewood holds up better than downtown, but a correct first price still beats a slow series of reductions.
Sources: RentCafe: Lakewood average rent · Census Reporter: Lakewood, CO
Services
Property management services in Lakewood
Same published pricing in every city: 8% of collected rent, 50% leasing fee, no setup, vacancy or markup fees.
Full-Service Property Management
Full-service residential property management in Denver for 8% of collected rent. Leasing, rent collection, maintenance at cost, inspections, accounting and a 21-day leasing guarantee.
Learn moreTenant Placement
Lease-only tenant placement in Denver: pricing, photos, showings, full screening and a Colorado-compliant lease for a flat fee. Keep self-managing with a 6-month tenant guarantee.
Learn moreMultifamily Property Management
Multifamily property management in Denver for duplexes, fourplexes and apartment buildings up to 50 units. Per-unit pricing, leasing, turnovers, maintenance and investor-grade reporting.
Learn moreCondo & Townhome Management
Rental management for Denver condos and townhomes. We coordinate with your HOA, handle move-in rules and rental caps, and lease your unit to screened tenants for 8% with no junk fees.
Learn moreMaintenance & Inspections
Rental property maintenance in Denver with a 24/7 emergency line, licensed vendors billed at cost with zero markup, and documented move-in, annual and move-out inspections.
Learn moreAccidental Landlord Services
Relocating, deployed, or can't sell at your price? Denver Rental Managers turns your home into a hands-off rental: pricing, tenant placement, management and Colorado compliance for 8%.
Learn moreLakewood property management FAQs
How much does property management cost in Lakewood?
Property management in Lakewood costs 8% of collected rent, with a $139 monthly minimum, and a leasing fee of 50% of one month’s rent when we place a tenant. There is no setup fee, no vacancy fee and no maintenance markup. You pay vendors exactly what they invoice, and you pay nothing monthly while the home is empty.
Do I need a rental license in Lakewood, Colorado?
No, not for long-term rentals. Lakewood’s 2023 licensing ordinance, Chapter 5.55, applies only to short-term rentals. Long-term landlords follow Colorado law, including the 2026 security-deposit rules that require returning deposits within 30 days unless the lease allows up to 60, and the for-cause eviction law. Verify with the city if your property is a short-term rental.
What does a rental home in Lakewood rent for?
RentCafe reported an average apartment rent of $1,796 in Lakewood in September 2026. Single-family homes typically rent above that average, with Green Mountain and Bear Creek homes near the foothills at the higher end. Treat these figures as averages; bedrooms, garage, yard and condition determine your home’s actual rent.
What do Lakewood renters look for?
Lakewood renters usually want a garage, a yard, quick access to the W Line or Sixth Avenue, and proximity to trails. Federal Center and school employees value stable, longer leases. A clean, correctly priced home generally leases within our 21-day guarantee window, while overpriced listings tend to sit in today’s flat market.
Ready to hand off your Lakewood rental?
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