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Attorney Ben Proto - The Musings of a Mad Lawyer

Monday, August 21, 2017

Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut

Connecticut statutorily defines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. Unfortunately, landlords and tenants sometimes fail to meet their legal obligations. When such situations occur, legal intervention is often necessary. Below is an overview of the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Connecticut.  

Connecticut Tenant Responsibilities 

Connecticut tenants are responsible for the following:

  • The timely payment of rent. If a tenant fails to pay his or her rent on time, the landlord may initiate the eviction process;
  • Keeping the property and surrounding areas clean and in good condition; 
  • Keeping noise levels to a minimum so as not to disturb neighbors;
  • Repairing damage to the apartment caused by the tenant or his or her guests;
  • Informing the landlord of any major damage to the property;
  • Informing the landlord of the need for repairs to the property;
  • Giving the landlord permission to enter the property at a reasonably agreed upon time to make inspections or repairs;
  • Letting the landlord know if he or she will be absent from the property for an extended period of time;
  • Providing the landlord with advance notice prior to moving out; and
  • Returning the property to the landlord in the same condition in which it was received. 

It is important to note that in month to month leases, either party is required to provide 30 days notice before terminating the lease.

Connecticut Landlord Responsibilities 

Connecticut landlords are responsible for the following:

  • Ensuring that the property is clean prior to occupation by the tenant;
  • Cleaning the property’s common areas, if any;
  • Ensuring that hallways and entryways are well-lit; and
  • Maintaining the property’s plumbing and heating systems.

In addition, state and local housing, fire, health, and environmental codes may require landlords to provide the following: 

  • Safe stairways, floors, porches, ceilings, and walls;
  • Working and secure locks on doors of the property;
  • A minimum of two electrical outlets in each room of the property;
  • Viewing devices on doors that open into community hallways;
  • Extermination services if the property is suffering from pest or rodent infestation;
  • Safe and navigable fire exits from the property;
  • A working smoke detector; 
  • Appropriate trash receptacles, including separate receptacles for solid and recyclable items; 
  • Compliance with weatherization regulations; and
  • A non-electronic rent payment option.  

Connecticut Landlord and Tenant Dispute Legal Representation 

While people sometime choose to address landlord and tenant disputes without legal representation, this is not recommended. Experienced Connecticut legal representation can drastically improve your odds of a successful outcome during a landlord and tenant dispute. Therefore, if you are a landlord or tenant involved in a legal dispute, please consider contacting a Connecticut residential real estate attorney. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, the law office of Benjamin S. Proto can provide you with competent and efficient legal representation. At the law office of Benjamin S. Proto, we will keep you apprised of your rights while ensuring that you understand all of your legal options. Please contact us for a consultation. 


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