Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-54
(Formerly Sec. 19-345). Communicable diseases; unfit for habitation; order to vacate.
Operative Text
(a) Whenever it is certified by the board of health or other enforcing agency, that a tenement, lodging or boarding house, or any part thereof, is infected with communicable disease, or that it is unfit for human habitation or dangerous to life or health by reason of want of repair or of defects in the drainage, plumbing, ventilation or construction of the same, or by reason of the existence on the premises of a nuisance liable to cause sickness among the occupants of such house, the board of health or other enforcing agency may issue an order requiring all persons therein to vacate such house, or part thereof, within not less than twenty-four hours nor more than ten days. The board of health or other enforcing agency shall state in the order the reason for the issuance of the order. (b) If such order is not complied with within the time so specified, the board of health or other enforcing agency may cause such house, or part thereof, to be vacated. (c) The board of health or other enforcing agency, whenever satisfied that the danger from such house, or part thereof, has ceased to exist, or that such house is fit for human habitation, may revoke such order or may extend the time within which the order may be complied with.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-54, a local board of health or other enforcing agency has the authority to certify that a tenement, lodging, or boarding house is infected with communicable disease or is otherwise unfit or dangerous for human habitation. Once such a certification is made, the agency may issue a formal order requiring occupants to vacate the property within a window of no fewer than 24 hours and no more than 10 days. If the order is not followed, the agency may itself cause the building or affected portion to be vacated, and the order may later be revoked once the agency determines the hazard no longer exists.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers of tenements, lodging houses, and boarding houses in Connecticut should be aware that Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-54 empowers local health authorities to order vacatur of a property found to be infected with communicable disease or structurally dangerous to occupants. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties free of drainage, plumbing, ventilation, and construction defects, and address nuisances promptly so that health authorities do not have grounds to issue such an order. When a vacatur order is issued, it must state the reason, and operators typically work with the board of health to remediate the identified conditions so the order can be revoked under subsection (c).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-54 provides occupants of tenements, lodging houses, and boarding houses with a legal framework under which a board of health or enforcing agency can act to protect them from communicable disease, dangerous disrepair, or other health hazards on the premises. If a vacatur order is issued, it must specify the reason, and tenants may wish to retain a copy of that order for their records. Tenants who believe their housing conditions warrant action under § 47a-54 can generally contact their local board of health to report conditions, and may also seek guidance from a tenant-rights organization about available remedies.
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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