Substitute House Bill No. 6949 amends existing laws 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 do not allow the landlord to enter for specified reasons, such as inspections or repairs, for a period of fourteen or more consecutive days. Additionally, the bill maintains that landlords must provide reasonable notice of their intent to enter and may only do so at reasonable times, except in emergencies. The language also emphasizes that landlords cannot abuse their right of entry or use it to harass tenants.

The bill repeals the previous version of Section 47a-16 and replaces it with updated provisions that include the new definition of unreasonable withholding of consent. It also specifies that landlords may enter without tenant consent in emergencies, under court orders, or if the tenant has abandoned the premises. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to balance the rights of landlords and tenants while providing clearer guidelines for entry into rental properties.

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