Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. II (2026) § 9-42
Landlord retaliation (Groton Art. II: Fair Rent Commission)
Operative Text
(a) Pursuant to C.G.S. § 47a-20, it shall be a retaliatory action for a landlord to refuse to renew the lease or other rental agreement of any tenant, or to demand an increase in rent from any tenant or decrease the services to which any tenant has been entitled, within six months after: (1) A tenant has in good faith attempted to remedy, by any lawful means any condition constituting a violation of any provision of any state statute or regulation or of the housing and health ordinances of the town. (2) Filing a complaint with the fair rent commission alleging excessive rental charges. (3) Any municipal agency (including the fair rent commission) or official has filed a notice, complaint or order regarding such a violation. (4) The tenant has in good faith requested the landlord to make repairs. (5) The tenant has in good faith instituted an action pursuant to C.G.S. § 47a-14h to enforce the landlord's responsibilities. (6) The tenant has organized or become a member of a tenant's union. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, it shall not be retaliatory action where the landlord refuses to renew the tenant's lease or other rental agreement when: (1) The tenant is using the dwelling unit for an illegal purpose. (2) The tenant is using the dwelling unit for a purpose which is in violation of the rental agreement. (3) There is nonpayment of rent by the tenant. (4) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession of the dwelling unit for immediate use as his own abode. (5) The condition complained of was caused by the willful actions of the tenant or another person in his household or a person on the premises with his consent. (6) The landlord seeks to recover possession on the basis of a notice to terminate a periodic tenancy, which notice was given to the tenant previous to the tenant's complaint or other action defined in subsection (a) of this section.
Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. II § 9-42 establishes that a landlord engages in retaliatory action when, within six months of a tenant exercising certain protected activities—such as complaining about housing conditions, filing a fair rent commission complaint, requesting repairs, or joining a tenant union—the landlord refuses to renew a lease, raises rent, or reduces services. The provision also defines specific circumstances under which a landlord's refusal to renew a lease is not considered retaliation, including nonpayment of rent, illegal use of the unit, or a good-faith desire to reclaim the unit as the landlord's own home. The six-month window creates a presumption that connects the landlord's action to the tenant's protected conduct, though that presumption can be rebutted by the listed exceptions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9-42, property owners and managers in Groton are generally expected to document the independent, non-retaliatory business reasons behind any lease non-renewal, rent increase, or service reduction—particularly when such actions occur within six months of a tenant's protected activity. Compliant operators typically maintain records showing that decisions were driven by factors such as nonpayment, lease violations, or a pre-existing notice to terminate, all of which are recognized exceptions under this provision. Keeping contemporaneous documentation of the timeline and basis for any tenancy action helps demonstrate that the conduct falls within one of the enumerated exceptions rather than the prohibited retaliatory window.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9-42 of Groton's Code of Ordinances protects tenants who, in good faith, report housing violations, request repairs, file complaints with the fair rent commission, or organize with other tenants—shielding them from lease non-renewal, rent hikes, or service cuts within six months of those activities. Tenants who believe a landlord has taken such action in retaliation may raise this provision as a defense in eviction or other legal proceedings, or may file a complaint with the Groton fair rent commission. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand how § 9-42 interacts with state law under C.G.S. § 47a-20 and what documentation may be relevant to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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