In Connecticut, a landlord’s obligation for providing a habitable living space is primarily governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. §47a-7. This legal requirement, commonly known as the “implied warranty of habitability”, also outlines the rights of tenants when repairs are not made in a timely manner.
| Quick Facts | Answer |
| Landlord Responsibilities | Hot/Cold Water, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Sanitation Facilities, Trash Can, Stairs/Railings, Floors, Fire Exits, Smoke Detector |
| Time Limit for Repairs | 15 Days |
| Tenant Recourse Options |
|
Applicable Dwelling Types in Connecticut
The implied warranty of habitability in Connecticut does not apply to all types of dwellings. See the table below for which are and aren’t included.
| Dwelling Type | Landlord/Tenant Laws Apply? |
| Single family | Yes |
| Multi-family | Yes |
| Fraternities/Sororities/Clubs | No |
| RV parks | Not specifically addressed |
| Mobile home parks | Only if person in mobile home is a renter, not owner |
| Condos | No |
| Hotels/Motels | No |
Tenement/boarding homes have their own set of applicable rules regarding habitability and are not dealt with in this article.
Landlord Responsibilities in Connecticut
The following chart lists possible landlord responsibilities when it comes to habitability. Not all of them are requirements in Connecticut, as indicated below.
Note: Some of the below items may not be addressed at the state level but may be addressed on a county or city level. Check your local housing codes to see which additional requirements may apply.
| Habitability Issue | Landlord Responsibility? |
| Provide windows and doors that are in good repair. | Not specifically addressed |
| Ensure the roof, walls, etc., are completely waterproofed and there are no leaks. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide hot and cold running water. | Yes |
| Provide working HVAC equipment. | Yes |
| Provide working plumbing and electrical wiring/outlets/ lighting. | Yes |
| Provide working gas lines if used for utilities/cooking | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working sanitation facilities (bathtub/shower, toilet). | Yes |
| Provide a trash can (for trash pickup services). | Yes |
| Ensure that any stairs and railings are safe. | Yes |
| Ensure that all floors are in good condition and safe. | Yes |
| Provide fire exits that are usable, safe, and clean. | Yes |
| Ensure storage areas, including garages and basements, do not house combustible materials. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working smoke detectors | Yes |
| Provide a mailbox. | No |
| Provide working wiring for one telephone jack. | Not specifically addressed |
| Provide working kitchen appliances. | Yes, if indicated in the lease agreement |
| Provide working carbon monoxide detector. | Yes |
| Provide a working washer/dryer. | Yes, if indicated in the lease agreement |
In Connecticut, landlords are responsible for ensuring that any common areas of rented or leased multifamily properties are clean and safe.
Sprinklers
In addition to the above requirements, the landlord must provide notice in the rental agreement stating whether a sprinkler system exists, and if so, when it was last serviced and inspected.
Bed Bugs
Landlords are prohibited from renting a unit known to have bed bugs. If bedbugs are discovered in a rental unit after it has been rented out, the landlord has five business days from receiving notice of the bedbug infestation to treat the unit.
If a landlord does not treat the unit within five days of receiving notice, the tenant is entitled to $250 or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus any attorney fees.
For all other pests, vermin, and rodents, landlords are required to keep multi-family units free from infestations.
Repairs, Recourse & Retaliation in Connecticut
If a rental property is in violation of the implied warranty of habitability in Connecticut, state laws outline how the repair process works, what tenants can do if repairs aren’t made, and how tenants are protected against retaliating landlords.
Requesting Repairs in Connecticut
Connecticut tenants must request repairs by notifying the landlord in writing about the issue that needs fixing. After receiving written notice from the tenant, the landlord has 15 days to perform repairs.
Renter’s Rights if Repairs Aren’t Made in Connecticut
If an issue isn’t fixed in Connecticut after proper notice, the renter can end the rental agreement, or ask a court to order repairs, monetary damages, or a rent abatement. However, the renter isn’t allowed to withhold the rent unilaterally, or repair and deduct (outside of special cases). Read More
Landlord Retaliation in Connecticut
It’s illegal for Connecticut landlords to raise rent, reduce services, or evict when tenants have taken one of the following good-faith actions, within the past six months:
- Trying to remedy health and safety violations.
- Requesting repairs.
- Suing the landlord for breach of duty.
- Participation in tenant organizations.
There are several exceptions in Connecticut law for non-retaliatory, good-faith motivations. For example, a proportionate increase in rent following an increase in property tax is not retaliation.
If a court agrees with a retaliation defense, it usually awards an injunction and monetary damages, then bans further retaliatory action and dismisses the lawsuit.
