Connecticut Rent Increase Laws

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 by Ashley Porter

Does Connecticut Have Rent Control?

No, Connecticut does not have statewide rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for rent. State law prohibits local governments from establishing their own rent control laws except to establish a fair rent commission that handles complaints and prevents landlords from charging excessive rents.

In May 2022, the Connecticut legislature approved House Bill 5205. The act requires fair rent commissions in cities, towns, and boroughs with populations over 25,000. Local governments must establish a fair rent commission by July 1, 2023.
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Call 211 or contact 2-1-1 of Connecticut through their website to determine if your community has a fair rent commission.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent By in Connecticut?

In areas with a fair rent commission, landlords in Connecticut cannot raise the rent by an amount that would be considered “harsh and unconscionable.”
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If a tenant thinks a rent increase is unreasonable, they must submit a complaint to their local fair housing commission to contest it.

Fair rent commissions are required to consider these factors
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when making a determination:

• Amount and frequency of rent increases
• Landlord’s operating costs
• Number and size of bedrooms
• Repairs necessary to make the accommodations livable
• Number of bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks
• Services, furniture, and furnishings
• Availability of utilities
• Comparable rents
• Sanitary conditions
• Compliance with state and local health and safety laws and regulations
• Renter’s income and housing availability
• Tenant damage to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear
• Potential reinvestment in the property

After a tenant files a complaint, the commission will hold a hearing and may:

• Order a reduction of the rent increase
• Order the rent increase to be phased over time
• Deny the rent increase
• Require the rent increase to be delayed until the landlord complies with health and safety requirements or makes necessary repairs
• Deny the tenant’s claim

Tenants can file a case with Superior Court to contest a rent increase if their local government does not have a fair rent commission
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and both of the following apply:
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• They live in a mobile home or a building or complex with 5 or more dwelling units
• They are disabled or 62 years old or older

In boroughs and towns without a fair rent commission, landlords can raise the rent by any amount that they wish. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase in those areas.

When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, landlords can raise the rent for any reason as long as they give proper notice, don’t do so during the fixed term of a lease (unless the lease allows for it), and aren’t doing so for certain discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.

When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, landlords cannot raise the rent during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement), for certain discriminatory reasons (like race or age), or for certain retaliatory reasons (such as in response to a tenant requesting repairs).

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination due to:

• Age
• Race
• Gender (including gender identity)
• Sexual orientation
• Religion
• Nationality or origin
• Familial status
• Disability

In addition to the characteristics above, state law also prohibits discrimination because a tenant has a past conviction for possession of cannabis products or 4 or fewer ounces of cannabis plant material.
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Connecticut law also prevents landlords from increasing rent in retaliation. An action is considered retaliatory if it occurs within 6 months
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of a tenant action. Rent increases are considered retaliatory if in response to a tenant:

• Filing a complaint with the appropriate agency regarding the property’s health or safety (unless the condition is due to the tenant’s negligence)
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• Filing a court case to enforce the landlord’s responsibilities
• Joining or organizing a tenants’ group or union
• Requesting repairs

How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Connecticut?

Connecticut law does not require a specific notice period before raising the rent.

However, it still requires that landlords act in good faith, meaning they should give the tenant reasonable notice when increasing rent. In many states, one month is considered reasonable.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Connecticut?

Landlords in Connecticut can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time.