Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6433
AN ACT CONCERNING INSPECTIONS OF RENTAL PROPERTY PRIOR TO
OCCUPANCY OR TERMINATION, LATE RENTAL PAYMENTS AND
Title: DESIGNATION OF A RENTAL HOUSING OMBUDSMAN.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. Geraldo Reyes, District 75
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill is necessary to provide housing stability and rent protection for tenants by permitting
tenants to request an inspection of rental property prior to occupancy and after notice of
termination of a tenancy. This would help prevent disputes regarding the condition of the unit
at the beginning and end of the tenancy. This bill would also cap late fees for rental
payments.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno of DOH- Does not support Section 4 which states
that the department will establish a Rental Housing Ombudsman because complaints of this
kind are currently and correctly within the jurisdiction of the local public health and housing
code enforcement departments. Further, the information required to be collected, analyzed
and disseminated are not within the current capabilities of the Department. Execution of this
section would require a significant increase in both staff and financial resources
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Executive Director of the Connecticut Legal Rights Project Kathleen Flaherty- Supports this
bill because it protects the rights of both tenants and property owners when it comes to the
conditions of a rented dwelling unit. The organization believes the limitation on late fees is
reasonable and that having someone within the DOH to serve as a rental-housing
ombudsman represents an opportunity to resolve disputes early.
Policy Director of Partnership For Strong Communities Sean Ghio- Supports this bill
because by creating a Rental Housing Ombudsman it will assist in protecting tenants rights.
Raphael Podolsky of Connecticut Legal Services Advancing Justice- Supports this bill
because it will prevent unreasonable late fees, will minimize disputes about the condition of a
housing unit and create a statewide source to solve disputes between landlords and tenants.
Director of Fairfield County's Center For Housing Opportunity Christie Stewart- Supports this
bill because it will support tenants housing rights by adding a Rental Housing Ombudsman.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
The following do not support this bill because the creation of a Rental Housing Ombudsman
would be government intrusion and expensive and the late fee cap is too small
Adam Bonoff
Trevor Dorian
Sam Eddinger-
Robert Jackson
Paul Januszewski
Susan Keller Burt
Xiong Mo
Carlos Mouta
Ann Marie Puleo
Tara Ramlal
Bo Yang
Lin Yang
James Sun
Terry Waller
President of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners John Souza- Opposes this bill
because capping late fees and requiring inspections on demand will add more complexity
and costs to the rental housing system. Additionally a state position to act as housing
Ombudsman is not necessary as the housing courts and local building departments are
already equipped to handle landlord /tenant matter.
Elizabeth Sulik of CONN NAHRO- Opposes Section 3 of this bill because the cap on late
fees is too small and will be a detriment to the landlord.
President of Hartford Landlord Association Helen Nixon- Opposes this bill because rental
properties are already inspected regularly.
CT Realtors- do not support this bill because It is not reasonable or feasible that landlords
and tenants be mandated to coordinate in-person inspections of properties prior to and at the
termination of rentals. They believe that the cap on late fees is extremely low.
Reported by: Eddie Aledia Date: 3/19/21
Page 2 of 3 HB-6433
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Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 135:
File No. 624: