Connecticut has proposed several bills that have proven to be a threat to landlords and the housing market. In this article, we will discuss three bills that are particularly dangerous.
HB 6781, also known as "An Act Addressing Housing Affordability for Residents in the State," includes provisions that may cause more harm than good.
Firstly, it increases fines to $2,000 per day for failure to maintain a property, even when it could be tenant caused damages. This provision is unfair to landlords as tenants may intentionally cause damages, and landlords have no control over that.
Secondly, the bill eliminates Lapse of Time Eviction in buildings with five or more units. This means that landlords have no legal recourse if a tenant overstays their lease, leading to a significant loss of income.
Thirdly, the bill requires landlords to notify tenants of their rights in evictions. This provision is unnecessary as tenants already have protection under existing laws.
Lastly, the bill makes denying a tenant based on their 5-year-old eviction record a discriminatory act. This provision is problematic because landlords should have the right to select tenants that they believe are suitable for their property.
HB 6780, also known as "An Act Concerning Tenants' Rights," is another problematic bill that landlords should be aware of.
Firstly, it limits application fees to the cost of a screening report. Although this provision appears to be beneficial to tenants, it leaves landlords with no compensation for administrative costs related to the application process.
Secondly, the bill forces landlords to accept a tenant's copy of a previous screening report and not charge an application fee. This provision puts landlords at risk of accepting fraudulent or exaggerated screening reports that could lead to a bad tenant.
Thirdly, the bill eliminates Lapse of Time Eviction in buildings with five or more units, just like HB 6781.
Lastly, the bill also requires landlords to notify tenants of their rights in evictions. This provision is redundant, as tenants already have protection under existing laws.
SB 4, also known as "An Act Concerning Connecticut's Present and Future Housing Needs," is another problematic bill that landlords should be aware of.
Firstly, it institutes a rent cap at a 4% increase plus a CPI adjustment. This provision will force landlords to raise rents every single year so they don’t get behind.
Secondly, the bill creates an eviction moratorium between December 1 and March 31. This means that tenants who start to evict in August can live rent-free until the following April. This provision is unfair to landlords as it could put them in significant financial distress.
Thirdly, the bill limits application fees to the cost of a screening report, just like HB 6780.
Fourthly, the bill forces landlords to accept a tenant's copy of a previous screening report and not charge an application fee, just like HB 6780.
Lastly, the bill caps late fees at $25 or $5 per day, whichever is less. This provision is unfair to landlords as they may not be adequately compensated for the inconvenience caused by late payments.
In conclusion, these bills may seem beneficial to tenants, but they pose a significant risk to landlords and the housing market in Connecticut. It is essential to protect the rights of both landlords and tenants when drafting and passing bills.
Here's the link to submit written testimony If you oppose these bills, visit this website to cite your displeasure with these proposals and please don't submit anonymous testimony, it gets discarded.