Environmental Health
Housing Code Enforcement
Overview
Housatonic Valley Health District abides by the State of Connecticut’s “Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut” handbook.
Per the “Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut” handbook, the landlord must:
- provide a clean apartment when the tenant moves in;
- clean common areas (hallways, stairs, yards, entryways);
- keep hallways and entryways lighted well; and
- keep plumbing and heating systems working (both hot and cold running water).
In addition, the following may be required by state and local housing, health, fire,
and environmental codes and regulations:
- correctly repaired and safe stairways, porches, oors, ceilings, and walls;
- good locks on the doors of the apartment;
- safe re exits from the building;
- two electrical outlets in each room;
- viewing devices on doors that open onto a hallway (in some communities);
- extermination service if the apartment is infested with pests or rodents;
- a working smoke detector;
- appropriate receptacles for the removal of waste items, including providing for
the separation of recyclable items from other solid waste;
- compliance with regulations regarding weatherization standards and procedures (for properties participating in the rental assistance program); and
- a non-electronic option for tenants to pay rent (for rental agreements or leases executed on or aer October 1, 2013).
Essential Info
- Tenants should carefully note the condition of their apartment when they first move in and confirm that condition in writing with their new landlord.
- It is very important for the tenant to check any apartment that he or she may rent for unsafe and unhealthy living conditions, so that these conditions can be fixed before signing the lease.
- The landlord and the tenant should inspect the apartment together and should agree on the conditions when the tenant moves in.
- Landlords are required to keep all heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances working.
- For more information, call the Housatonic Valley Health District at 203-264-9616, ext 0.
Resources
Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut
Quick Links
Updated: February 1, 2022