New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-45
Occupant to permit free access for repairs and alterations
Operative Text
Every occupant of a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit shall give the owner, his agent or employee free access to any part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or their surrounding premises, at any reasonable time agreeable to both parties, for the purpose of making repairs or alterations necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this article or any rule or regulation adopted or any order issued pursuant thereto.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 2 § 13-45 establishes a mutual-access framework: occupants of dwellings, dwelling units, or rooming units are required to allow owners, their agents, or employees to enter any part of the premises to perform repairs or alterations needed to comply with housing code requirements. Critically, the timing of such access must be 'reasonable' and agreeable to both parties — neither side can unilaterally dictate when entry occurs. The rule applies whenever repairs or alterations are necessary to meet the standards set out in the article or any related rules, regulations, or orders issued under it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 13-45, compliant property owners and managers generally coordinate entry times with occupants rather than demanding access on their own schedule, ensuring that any visit for repairs or alterations is made at a time both parties find reasonable. Documenting communications about scheduled access — such as written notices or confirmation messages — is a common practice that helps demonstrate good-faith compliance with the mutual-agreement requirement. Owners who need to perform code-compliance work should be prepared to negotiate timing with occupants and keep records of those arrangements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13-45 gives occupants a meaningful say in when owners or their representatives enter the premises for repairs or alterations: access must occur at a time that is reasonable and agreeable to both parties, not solely at the owner's convenience. If an owner or agent attempts to enter without reaching a mutually agreed-upon time, occupants may have grounds to raise that conduct as a concern with local housing authorities or a tenant-rights organization familiar with New Britain's housing code. At the same time, the provision does place a corresponding obligation on occupants to cooperate in scheduling access for legitimate code-compliance repairs, so unreasonably withholding agreement could also be relevant in any dispute.
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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