Englewood in brief
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Residential stock
- Many compact homes from the early twentieth century through the post-war decades
- Commercial
- Older storefronts and mixed-use buildings along South Broadway, plus light industrial areas
- Permits
- City of Englewood building division for addresses inside city limits
Homeowner versus storefront tenant
| Englewood homeowner | Broadway storefront tenant |
|---|---|
| Usually decides on testing and abatement for the home | Usually needs landlord approval before tenant improvements |
| Suspect materials often include flooring layers, plaster or joint compound, and old heating components | Older commercial buildings may have layered flooring, ceiling materials and old mechanical insulation |
| Single-family rules may differ from commercial ones | Commercial renovation generally requires inspection before disturbance |
| Should still verify every contractor's CDPHE certification | Lease terms often decide who pays for abatement |
What tends to come up
Small homes are often remodeled heavily to gain space: walls come out, basements are finished, kitchens are rebuilt. In an Englewood bungalow or post-war cottage, that may mean plaster walls, several generations of flooring, and an old furnace or boiler in a tight basement. Because the rooms are small, a disturbance spreads quickly through the house, which argues for testing early.
Along South Broadway, many storefronts have been remodeled repeatedly by successive tenants. A new restaurant or shop that pulls up flooring or drops a ceiling can find several layers of earlier finishes. Commercial renovations generally need an inspection by certified personnel before materials are disturbed, so tenants should build that into their timeline before signing a lease that assumes a fast opening.
Before a tenant improvement on Broadway
- Ask the landlord for any existing asbestos survey for the building or suite.
- Confirm in the lease who is responsible for inspection and abatement.
- Have the suite inspected before demolition of flooring, ceilings or walls.
- Allow time in the opening schedule for results and any abatement.
- Check with the City of Englewood what documentation the building permit requires.
- Keep the clearance and disposal records with your lease file.
Common questions
My Englewood house is small. Does that make abatement simpler?
Sometimes the quantities are smaller, which can keep a job below certain permit triggers. But small rooms and short hallways also mean a careless disturbance reaches the whole house quickly, so containment still matters.
Who pays for abatement in a leased storefront?
The lease usually decides. Some leases put building materials on the landlord and tenant improvements on the tenant, while others shift everything to the tenant. Have it addressed in writing before signing, ideally with the survey results in hand.
Are light industrial buildings treated like storefronts?
They are generally treated as non-residential buildings, so inspection before renovation or demolition is expected. Older industrial spaces may also have pipe and equipment insulation, roofing and wall panels worth sampling.
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.