Housing (Landlords)

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 339: AN ACT ALLOWING LONG-TERM RENTAL OF BEDROOMS IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AS OF RIGHT.

This bill allows homeowners to rent up to three bedrooms in their single-family home for six months or longer without needing special municipal approval. It directly affects single-family homeowners (who can rent bedrooms without permits) and municipalities (which can no longer ban such rentals through zoning rules). The key mechanism amends zoning laws to prohibit local bans on this rental type, making it "as of right" (meaning no special permit is required). This applies only to owner-occupants living in the home, not absentee landlords.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for homeowners to rent bedrooms, increasing housing supply without municipal approval, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Zoning

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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 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 · 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 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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passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 274: AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS.

SB 274 requires nonresident rental property owners (those who don’t live at their properties) to register their current address and identifying information with municipalities. Cities with populations over 25,000 must collect this data from owners or their agents, and owners must update it within 21 days of any address change. The bill also increases fines for repeat violations of building and fire safety codes by property owners, and uses registered addresses to legally serve compliance notices.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases penalties for building/fire code violations, strengthening tenant safety protections through enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

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