Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 5440: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AWARD OF REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES BY THE COURT IN ENTRY AND DETAINER CASES.

This bill allows courts to order the losing party in forcible entry and detainer cases to pay reasonable attorney's fees to the winning party. It directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings where property was forcibly entered, detained, or damaged. The key provision requires judges to award attorney's fees when they find that forcible entry occurred, damage was caused, or regaining possession would require breaking the peace. The law also permits courts to award double damages along with attorney's fees in specific civil actions related to these types of property disputes. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by allowing courts to award attorney's fees in eviction cases, reducing barriers for tenants facing unlawful entry or damage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 337: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE CONCERNING THE REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF PROPERTY OF EVICTED TENANTS.

SB 337 modifies how landlords handle tenants' belongings after an eviction judgment. It requires landlords to store possessions for at least 15 days, provide clear written notice about reclaiming items (including costs), and make reasonable efforts to notify tenants before selling unclaimed property. If tenants don’t claim belongings within 15 days, landlords must sell them at public auction after posting notices, with proceeds covering storage costs and returning any excess to the tenant. The bill directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords managing abandoned property, ensuring transparency in handling personal effects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 15-day storage, written notice, and return of excess proceeds, strengthening tenant protections during eviction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 5261: AN ACT PERMITTING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROHIBIT RENT INCREASES IN THE EVENT OF MULTIPLE STATE BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS.

HB 5261 allows municipalities to ban rent increases for residential rental units that have two or more outstanding violations of local health/safety ordinances or the State Building Code. The bill requires municipalities to pass a local ordinance through their legislative body to implement this restriction, which remains in effect until the building violations are fixed. It directly affects landlords of affected properties and provides tenants with protection from rent hikes during unsafe living conditions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all residential units defined under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents rent hikes during unsafe housing violations, directly protecting tenants from exploitation in unsafe living conditions per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5368: AN ACT CONCERNING DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HB 5368 requires the Department of Housing to study deeply affordable housing availability in Connecticut. The bill defines "deeply affordable housing" as units rented or sold at 30% or less of a household's income (for households earning 40% or less of the state median income). The study must examine county-level availability, development barriers, and potential grant programs to incentivize such housing, with results due to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This bill does not create new housing or funding but mandates a report to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates study on deeply affordable housing (30% income threshold), examines barriers, and explores grant incentives to advance affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Tenant Rights

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signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 335: AN ACT CONCERNING UTILITY CHARGES FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS.

SB 335 prohibits landlords from charging tenants extra for utilities (like heat or electricity) if the rental unit lacks an individual meter for those services. It directly affects tenants in residential rental properties where utilities are included in rent but not separately metered. The bill amends rental agreement laws to make any clause requiring such payments unenforceable. Landlords must now charge only for utilities when a tenant has a dedicated meter, preventing "pass-through" fees for shared building systems. This takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents landlords from charging tenants extra utility fees without individual meters, directly strengthening tenant protections in rental housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 332: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE TO PARTIES BEFORE A FAIR RENT COMMISSION.

SB 332 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities (with populations of 15,000+ per census) to provide clear written notice to hearing participants about their rights and the commission’s authority before hearings begin, and to announce this at the start of each hearing. The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Housing create and publish model notice templates on the Department of Housing website for local commissions to use. This applies directly to landlords, tenants, and other parties involved in fair rent commission hearings, as well as the commissions themselves. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and focuses solely on improving procedural transparency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates clear notice of rights in rent hearings, enhancing transparency for tenants and landlords, directly supporting tenant protections in housing disputes.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5257: AN ACT PROHIBITING A LANDLORD FROM REQUIRING A SECURITY DEPOSIT IN EXCESS OF ONE MONTH'S RENT FROM ANY TENANT.

HB 5257 limits security deposits for residential renters to one month's rent, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects all residential tenants and landlords in the state by prohibiting landlords from requiring deposits exceeding this amount. The bill also creates a security deposit guarantee program for low-income renters (earning 60% or less of the state median income) to cover up to one month's rent, prioritizing veterans and those with documented financial need. This replaces previous provisions that allowed higher deposits for some tenants and establishes a new administrative process for the guarantee program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits security deposits to one month's rent and creates a low-income tenant guarantee program, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prioritizes veterans in security deposit guarantee program for low-income renters, directly advancing veteran financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 5042: AN ACT PROTECTING RENTERS FROM RENT INCREASES UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.

HB 5042 prevents landlords from significantly raising rents when a rental property changes ownership within 12 months, unless major renovations were completed. If no major renovations occurred (defined as work on at least two primary building systems like plumbing or electrical), rent increases are capped at 5% or the annual consumer price index increase, whichever is higher. This directly affects renters in properties changing hands and landlords seeking to adjust rents after purchase. The bill amends existing rent control provisions to ensure rent hikes after ownership transfers are limited unless substantial improvements were made.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases upon ownership change without renovations, protecting tenants from sudden hikes. Directly strengthens tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 333: AN ACT DEFINING ADVANCE RENTAL PAYMENTS.

SB 333 defines "advance rental payment" as a prepayment for rent not yet due (up to the remaining lease term), excluding security deposits. It sets security deposit limits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older, requiring landlords to refund excess amounts when a tenant turns 62. The bill also prohibits landlords from charging application fees, move-in/move-out fees, or other pre-tenancy charges beyond security deposits, advance payments, key deposits, or tenant screening reports. These changes directly affect residential landlords and tenants in rental agreements across the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSets security deposit limits protecting older tenants and bans excessive fees, strengthening tenant financial protections per bill's explicit terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5363: AN ACT CONCERNING THE INCOME THRESHOLD FOR TENANTS RENTING A DWELLING UNIT IN A SET-ASIDE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 5363 allows tenants in set-aside housing developments to continue renting at affordable rates for up to three years after their income temporarily exceeds the development's income thresholds (60% or 80% of median income), provided the development does not use federal low-income housing tax credits. This applies specifically to existing tenants who initially qualified under the 30% set-aside requirement for affordable units. The bill modifies existing rules to prevent sudden rent increases for qualifying tenants who experience short-term income growth, without changing the initial income eligibility criteria for new applicants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents sudden rent increases for existing affordable housing tenants by allowing continued affordability after temporary income exceedance, strengthening tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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