The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1383, aims to amend Section 47a-4 of the general statutes concerning rental agreements and utility charges for residential dwelling units. The bill prohibits rental agreements from including provisions that require tenants to waive certain rights, such as the right to interest on security deposits, the right to a court order for dispossession, and the right to not pay for utilities unless their dwelling unit has a separate meter. Specifically, it adds a new provision stating that tenants cannot be charged for utilities if there is no separate meter for their unit.

Additionally, the bill removes existing language that allows for certain charges and conditions in rental agreements, such as paying a heat or utilities surcharge when utilities are included in the rental agreement. The changes are designed to protect tenants from unfair utility charges and ensure that they are only responsible for utility costs that are directly associated with their individual units. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: