Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-52
(Formerly Sec. 19-88). Abatement of conditions in rented dwelling other than tenement house constituting danger to life or health.
Operative Text
(a) As used in this section, “rented dwelling” means any structure or portion thereof which is rented, leased, or hired out to be occupied as the home or residence of one or two families and any mobile manufactured home in a mobile manufactured home park which, although owned by its resident, sits upon a space or lot which is rented, leased or hired out, but shall not include a tenement house as defined in section 19a-355 or in section 47a-1. (b) “Department of health” means the health authority of each city, borough or town, by whatever name such health authority may be known. (c) When any defect in the plumbing, sewerage, water supply, drainage, lighting, ventilation, or sanitary condition of a rented dwelling, or of the premises on which it is situated, in the opinion of the department of health of the municipality where such dwelling is located, constitutes a danger to life or health, the department may order the responsible party to correct the same in such manner as it specifies. If the responsible party is a registrant, the department may deliver the order in accordance with section 7-148ii, provided nothing in this section shall preclude a director from providing notice in another manner permitted by applicable law. If the order is not complied with within the time limit set by the department, the person in charge of the department may institute a civil action for injunctive relief, in accordance with chapter 916, to require the abatement of such danger. (d) Paint on the exposed surfaces of the interior of a rented dwelling shall not be cracked, chipped, blistered, flaking, loose or peeling so as to constitute a health hazard. Testing, remediation, abatement and management of lead-based paint at a rented dwelling or its premises shall be as defined in, and in accordance with, the regulations, if any, adopted pursuant to section 19a-111c. (e) When the department of health certifies that any such rented dwelling or premises are unfit for human habitation, by reason of defects which may cause sickness or endanger the health of the occupants, the department may issue an order requiring the rented dwelling, premises or any portion thereof to be vacated within not less than twenty-four hours or more than ten days. (f) Any person who violates or assists in violating, or fails to comply with, any provision of this section or any legal order of a department of health made under any such provision shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. (g) Any person aggrieved by an order issued under this section may appeal, pursuant to section 19a-229, to the Commissioner of Public Health.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-52, local health departments have authority to order corrections when defects in plumbing, sewerage, water supply, drainage, lighting, ventilation, or sanitary conditions at a rented dwelling pose a danger to life or health. Interior paint that is cracked, chipped, or peeling in a hazardous way is also prohibited. If orders go unheeded, the health department can seek a court injunction, declare a dwelling unfit for habitation, and require vacating within 24 hours to 10 days. Violations may result in a class C misdemeanor charge.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-52 places responsibility on property owners to maintain rented dwellings free of hazardous plumbing, drainage, ventilation, and sanitary defects. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to municipal health department orders and ensure interior paint surfaces are kept in sound condition to avoid lead-hazard violations. Failure to comply with a lawful order can expose a responsible party to civil injunctive action and criminal misdemeanor liability.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-52 gives tenants in one- or two-family rented dwellings protections against dangerous physical conditions, including deteriorating paint and defective plumbing or ventilation. Tenants who believe their dwelling poses a health danger may contact the local municipal health department, which has authority to inspect, issue correction orders, and if necessary declare the unit unfit for habitation. Those aggrieved by a health department order may also appeal to the Connecticut Commissioner of Public Health, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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