Connecticut HB 5092: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR INTEREST PAID ON STUDENT LOANS.

Bill Text

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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5092
February Session, 2026

AN ACT PROTECTING RENTERS FROM RENT INCREASES UPON
THE TRANSFER OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 7-148c of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 2
(a) In determining whether a rental charge or a proposed increase in 3
a rental charge is so excessive, with due regard to all the circumstances, 4
as to be harsh and unconscionable, a fair rent commission shall consider 5
such of the following circumstances as are applicable to the type of 6
accommodation: (1) The rents charged for the same number of rooms in 7
other housing accommodations in the same and in other areas of the 8
municipality; (2) the sanitary conditions existing in the housing 9
accommodations in question; (3) the number of bathtubs or showers, 10
flush water closets, kitchen sinks and lavatory basins available to the 11
occupants thereof; (4) services, furniture, furnishings and equipment 12
supplied therein; (5) the size and number of bedrooms contained 13
therein; (6) repairs necessary to make such accommodations reasonably 14
livable for the occupants accommodated therein; (7) the amount of taxes 15
and overhead expenses, including debt service, thereof; (8) whether the 16
accommodations are in compliance with the ordinances of the 17
municipality and the general statutes relating to health and safety; (9) 18
the income of the petitioner and the availability of accommodations; (10) 19
the availability of utilities; (11) damages done to the premises by the 20

Substitute Bill No. 5092

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tenant, caused by other than ordinary wear and tear; (12) the amount 21
and frequency of increases in rental charges; (13) whether, and the 22
extent to which, the income from an increase in rental charges has been 23
or will be reinvested in improvements to the accommodations; and (14) 24
whether ownership of the accommodations has been transferred to a 25
new owner within the preceding twelve months. 26
(b) As used in this subsection, "major renovations" means renovations 27
whose total cost exceeds fifty thousand dollars. 28
(1) If ownership of the accommodation has been transferred to a new 29
owner within the preceding twelve months, a fair rent commission shall 30
determine whether the new owner has completed major renovations to 31
the accommodation. 32
(2) If a fair rent commission determines that a new owner has 33
completed major renovations, it shall assess whether the proposed rent 34
increase is harsh and unconscionable or unfair and inequitable pursuant 35
to subsection (a) of this section and section 7-148d, as amended by this 36
act. 37
(3) If a fair rent commission determines that a new owner has not 38
completed major renovations, the commission shall determine any 39
increase over an accommodation's rental rate during the previous 40
calendar year greater than (A) five per cent, or (B) the average increase 41
in the consumer price index for urban consumers during the most recent 42
calendar year, if any, to be so excessive as to be harsh and 43
unconscionable. 44
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall preclude a fair rent commission 45
from determining that a proposed rent increase of five per cent or less is 46
harsh and unconscionable or unfair and inequitable pursuant to 47
subsection (a) of this section and section 7-148d, as amended by this act. 48
Sec. 2. Section 7-148d of the general statutes is repealed and the 49
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 50

Substitute Bill No. 5092

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(a) (1) If a commission determines, after a hearing, that the rental 51
charge or proposed increase in the rental charge for any housing 52
accommodation is so excessive, based on the standards and criteria set 53
forth in subsection (a) of section 7-148c, as amended by this act, as to be 54
harsh and unconscionable, it may order that the rent be limited to such 55
an amount as it determines to be fair and equitable. 56
(2) If a commission determines, after a hearing, that the proposed 57
increase is so excessive, pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of 58
section 7-148c, as amended by this act, as to be harsh and 59
unconscionable, it shall order that the rent increase for such housing 60
accommodation be limited to the greater of five per cent or the average 61
increase during the most recent calendar year in the consumer price 62
index for urban consumers. 63
(3) If a commission determines, after a hearing, that the housing 64
accommodation in question fails to comply with any municipal 65
ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety, it 66
may order the suspension of further payment of rent by the tenant until 67
such time as the landlord makes the necessary changes, repairs or 68
installations so as to bring such housi