Housing (Renters)

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5366: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.

HB 5366 requires municipalities to grant developers a "right of first refusal" for affordable housing developments. It defines "affordable housing" as projects where at least 30% of units are permanently restricted (for 40 years) to be sold or rented at prices affordable for households earning ≤60% or ≤80% of median income. Developers must submit detailed affordability plans covering pricing calculations, marketing, and long-term administration, with rent/sale prices capped at 100% or 120% of HUD's Section 8 fair market rent for specific income tiers. This directly affects developers seeking housing approvals, municipalities reviewing applications, and low/moderate-income residents eligible for these units. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 30% affordable units with 40-year restrictions, caps prices at 100-120% median income, and requires developer affordability plans to ensure long-term tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 257: AN ACT CONCERNING EVICTIONS FOR CAUSE.

SB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts no-cause evictions for vulnerable tenants (elderly, disabled, long-term renters), strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 152: AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HOUSING INSPECTIONS.

SB 152 appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Housing for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will hire additional full-time staff to inspect housing units participating in the state's rental assistance program, ensuring they comply with health, housing, building, and safety codes. This directly affects tenants in the rental assistance program and landlords receiving program funds, as inspections will verify housing safety standards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and focuses solely on funding inspection staffing without changing eligibility or benefit amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250k from General Fund to fund housing inspections for rental assistance program, advancing public service funding and compliance oversight.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds inspections to enforce safety standards in rental assistance program, protecting tenants and maintaining housing quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 219: AN ACT CONCERNING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS RELATING TO RENTAL SECURITY DEPOSITS.

SB 219 establishes that if Connecticut's Banking Commissioner finds a landlord violated rules about rental security deposits (specifically sections (b), (d), (h), or (i) of the law), the commissioner can order the landlord to pay a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per violation. The bill also requires landlords to stop violating these rules and comply with security deposit laws. This applies directly to landlords who fail to follow state deposit regulations, such as returning deposits or providing required notices. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and gives the commissioner enforcement authority under existing statutes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant protections by imposing civil penalties on landlords violating security deposit laws, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5359: AN ACT CONCERNING PROVISIONS IN RESIDENTIAL RENTAL AGREEMENTS.

HB 5359, effective October 1, 2026, requires landlords in Connecticut to provide at least one no-fee payment method (like cash or check) for rent, prohibiting electronic funds transfer as the exclusive payment option. It bans specific unfair clauses in rental agreements, including excessive late fees, rent hikes for lease breaches, post-lease rent increases, and waivers of tenant rights under housing law. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing to create a bilingual (English/Spanish) standardized rental summary form by July 2026, clearly listing key terms like rent amount, landlord contact, and late fee details. This directly affects residential tenants and landlords by increasing transparency and limiting exploitative contract terms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans excessive late fees and rent hikes; mandates no-fee payment options; protects tenant rights under housing law95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5114: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR A PORTION OF ANNUAL RENT PAYMENTS MADE BY A TAXPAYER FOR A PRIMARY RESIDENCE IN THE STATE.

HB 5114 would create a refundable tax credit for renters in the state who pay personal income tax. It allows eligible renters to claim a credit equal to a portion of their rent payments for a primary residence, based on the property tax assessed on that rental property. This credit directly reduces the renter's tax liability and, because it's refundable, could provide a cash refund even if the renter owes no tax. The bill affects renters with primary residences in the state who pay income tax, targeting those whose rent payments correlate with the property tax burden on their landlord's property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit reducing renter's tax liability, providing direct relief to eligible renters - aligns with tax relief for lower/middle income.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates refundable tax credit reducing rent costs for primary residence renters, directly increasing housing affordability for eligible tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 334: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.

SB 334 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities with 15,000 or more residents (as determined by the latest census) to consist of exactly 50% landlords and 50% tenants, effective January 1, 2027. These municipalities must establish such commissions or join a joint or regional commission by January 1, 2028. The commissions will investigate rental charges (excluding seasonal rentals) and address complaints about excessive rent to prevent unfair pricing. This requirement applies to all municipal, joint, and regional fair rent commissions created under the law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires balanced commissions to investigate excessive rent and prevent unfair pricing, directly protecting tenants from exploitative charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5092: AN ACT PROTECTING RENTERS FROM RENT INCREASES UPON THE TRANSFER OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

HB 5092 prevents landlords from imposing sudden rent hikes when a rental property is sold to a new owner. It directly affects renters in properties transferred within the previous 12 months and landlords who purchase such properties. The bill caps rent increases for these properties at either 5% or the annual consumer price index (CPI) rise - whichever is higher - unless the new owner completed major renovations costing over $50,000 per unit. If renovations were done, the new owner must justify a higher increase through a fair rent commission review; otherwise, the standard cap applies. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly protects tenants from sudden rent hikes upon property transfer, capping increases at 5% or CPI (whichever higher) for 12 months. Strengthens tenant protections and promotes affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Connecticut · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 5226: AN ACT CONCERNING MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS.

HB 5226 requires Connecticut municipalities with populations over 15,000 to establish fair rent commissions by January 1, 2028, and all municipalities containing mobile manufactured home parks must join a regional fair rent commission. These commissions will handle rent complaints for non-seasonal mobile home spaces, investigate excessive charges, and hold public hearings to address issues affecting mobile home residents and park owners. The bill creates a framework for regional commissions (managed through regional councils) and mandates specific member requirements, including resident representation. It directly affects mobile home park residents, landlords, and local governments responsible for implementing the new commission structure. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates fair rent commissions to address excessive charges and protect mobile home tenants, strengthening tenant rights in affordable housing sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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passed · Connecticut · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 5394: AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE ACT.

HB 5394 updates Connecticut's relocation assistance rules for people displaced from homes due to government actions like redevelopment or code enforcement. It sets a $4,000 limit for payments to help displaced homeowners cover rent for up to four years or a down payment on a new safe, decent home (with a $2,000 matching requirement for larger down payments). Landlords become financially responsible for relocation costs if tenants are displaced due to local code enforcement, and towns/cities can place liens on landlords' property to recover these payments. This bill directly affects displaced homeowners, tenants, landlords, and municipalities managing relocation programs, replacing outdated provisions with clearer payment standards effective October 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $4,000 relocation assistance for displaced homeowners/tenants, mandates landlord responsibility for code enforcement displacements, strengthening tenant protections and housing stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Community Development Renters

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