SB 335 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → HSG Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a revised effective date and new protections for tenants. The changes clarify that the new rules only apply to rental agreements signed or renewed on or after October 1, 2026, preventing them from unfairly harming existing leases. Additionally, the bill now explicitly prohibits landlords from making tenants pay for utilities if there is no separate meter for that unit.

Scope change

The bill's applicability is now limited to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2026, rather than applying retroactively to all existing agreements.

TIMELINE

Added a specific clause stating the law applies only to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of October 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new prohibition preventing landlords from requiring tenants to pay for utilities if no separate meter exists for the tenant's unit.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and changed the committee reference from 'HOUSING' to 'HSG Joint Favorable Substitute'.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2026 · House May 6, 2026

How they voted

27–9

Passed

Total votes 36

Apr 28, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

2 Yea 9 Nay

81% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 4, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

upper

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED

lower

May 6, 2026

Amended

HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. B

lower

May 6, 2026

Amended

HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

SENATE PASSED

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Housing

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors