Connecticut Repair & Habitability Laws
Connecticut landlords have a comprehensive duty to maintain rental units in habitable condition, including housing code compliance and essential services.
Last reviewed:
Key Rules
- Repair And Deduct
- Yes — up to two months' rent after notice and failure to repair
- Rent Withholding
- Yes — tenant may withhold rent into court escrow if landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions
- Habitability Standard
- Housing code compliance, essential services, structural integrity, clean common areas
- Notice Required
- Written notice to landlord and reasonable opportunity to repair before invoking remedies
Applicable Statutes
Landlord's responsibilities: landlord must comply with applicable housing codes materially affecting health and safety, maintain all structural components, maintain essential services (heat, hot water, plumbing, electricity), and keep common areas safe.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13
Tenant remedies for landlord noncompliance: tenant may withhold rent or have repairs made and deduct the cost from rent (up to two months' rent) after written notice and failure to repair within a reasonable time.
Legal Aid Resources
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