Substitute House Bill No. 6949 amends Section 47a-16 of the general statutes regarding a landlord's ability to enter a tenant's dwelling unit. The bill clarifies that a tenant is considered to be "unreasonably withholding consent" if they deny the landlord entry for 14 or more consecutive days for purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showing the unit to prospective buyers. Additionally, it maintains that landlords must provide reasonable notice of their intent to enter and may only do so at reasonable times, except in emergencies. The bill also prohibits landlords from abusing their right of entry or using it to harass tenants.

The bill further specifies that landlords can enter without tenant consent in emergencies, under certain legal circumstances, or if the tenant has abandoned the premises. It retains the existing provisions that allow landlords to seek legal remedies if a tenant unreasonably withholds consent, including obtaining a declaratory judgment or injunctive relief. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to balance the rights of landlords and tenants regarding access to rental properties.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 234: