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SB 809

AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION AND INCREASED PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Herron Gaston and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut requires nonresident landlords to register and imposes escalating penalties for repeat building and fire code violations to improve rental housing accountability and safety.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Housing
#landlordandtenant #nonresidents
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Bill Summary · SB 809

Legislative bill overview

SB 809 establishes a registration requirement for nonresident landlords in Connecticut and creates enhanced penalty structures for landlords who repeatedly violate building and fire codes. The bill aims to improve accountability in the rental housing market by making it easier to track and enforce compliance among out-of-state property owners.

Why is this important

Nonresident landlords—particularly those operating across state lines—can be difficult to locate for enforcement actions, creating accountability gaps that may result in substandard or unsafe rental conditions. Repeat code violators pose documented risks to tenant safety, including fire hazards and structural defects, so escalating penalties for repeat offenses provides stronger deterrent mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden on small investors: Out-of-state landlords, including individual investors with single properties, may face administrative costs and complexity in registration, potentially discouraging investment in Connecticut's rental market
  • Enforcement capacity questions: The bill's effectiveness depends on state resources to monitor registrations and pursue penalties; underfunded enforcement could make the registration requirement symbolic rather than substantive
  • Definition and scope clarity: The bill's language on what constitutes "repeat violations" and how penalty escalation works needs careful definition to avoid arbitrary enforcement or disproportionate impacts on specific categories of landlords

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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