Substitute House Bill No. 6943 seeks to strengthen tenant protections in Connecticut by amending various sections of the general statutes governing landlord-tenant relationships. Key provisions include a requirement for landlords to provide tenants with receipts for cash payments and an accounting of charges and payments upon request. The bill also prohibits rental agreements from containing clauses that waive tenant rights or impose unfair conditions, such as allowing landlords to evict tenants without court orders or imposing excessive late fees. A significant new requirement mandates that landlords give written notice of any rent increase at least 45 days in advance, along with information about the tenant's right to dispute the increase through a fair rent commission, where applicable.

Additionally, the bill establishes that marketing residential leases with terms that contradict state law constitutes an unfair trade practice, thereby protecting tenants from exploitative agreements. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and may incur costs for the Department of Consumer Protection and municipalities due to the enforcement of these new regulations and the management of tenant complaints regarding rent increases. Overall, the bill aims to foster a more equitable rental environment by ensuring transparency and fairness in landlord-tenant interactions, while also clarifying that any rental agreement provisions that are statutorily prohibited are unenforceable.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 233: