The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 335, 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 or remedies, such as the right to interest on security deposits, the right to a court order for eviction, and the obligation to pay for utilities unless the tenant's 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 dwelling unit.

Additionally, the bill removes existing language that allows for utility surcharges in rental agreements when utilities are included. This change is intended to protect tenants from being unfairly charged for utilities that are not individually metered, ensuring that they are only responsible for their own utility usage. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and any provisions in rental agreements that violate these new rules will be deemed unenforceable.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: