Connecticut · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Connecticut tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Connecticut must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must follow building and housing codes, make all repairs needed to keep the home fit and livable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep plumbing, heating, electrical and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water and heat.

Repair and deduct
Only in limited cases
Withholding rent
See the rule
Notice before entry
Reasonable notice

Repairs in Connecticut

The landlord's duty
The landlord must follow building and housing codes, make all repairs needed to keep the home fit and livable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep plumbing, heating, electrical and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water and heat. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7.
How to ask for repairs
Ask the landlord in writing and keep a copy. For essential services, give notice before acting; the landlord has 48 hours before you may move to substitute housing. For other repairs, file a complaint with your town's housing code enforcement office; you must wait at least 21 days after that complaint before filing in court.
Repair and deduct
Only for essential services. If the landlord fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas or another essential service, you can give notice and then buy reasonable amounts of that service and deduct the actual cost from rent, or move to substitute housing (rent stops while the service is out). If the failure is willful, you can end the lease and recover two months' rent or double your damages. There is no general repair-and-deduct for other repairs. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13.
Withholding rent
Do not just stop paying. Instead you can pay rent into court. First complain to your town's housing code or health office. At least 21 days later, you can file a sworn complaint in housing court ($25 fee, can be waived) and pay your rent to the court. The court can order repairs, appoint a receiver and reduce your rent. You cannot file if a notice to quit for nonpayment was served first. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h.
Law
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-7, 47a-13, 47a-14h

Landlord entry in Connecticut

The landlord must give you reasonable written or oral notice and may enter only at reasonable times. No fixed number of hours is set. Without your consent the landlord may enter only in an emergency, with a court order, if you abandoned the unit, or during your extended absence. You may not unreasonably refuse entry for repairs, inspections or showings. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-16, 47a-16a.

Retaliation in Connecticut

For 6 months after you complain to a code or health agency or a fair rent commission, a town agency files a notice or order about a violation, you ask in good faith for repairs, you file a rent-into-court case, or you join a tenants' union, the landlord may not evict you, raise rent or cut services. Limited exceptions apply (for example, nonpayment of rent). Retaliation is a defense to eviction. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-20, 47a-20a, 47a-33.

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Connecticut: Ask the landlord in writing and keep a copy.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Connecticut

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Connecticut's rule on asking for repairs:Ask the landlord in writing and keep a copy. For essential services, give notice before acting; the landlord has 48 hours before you may move to substitute housing. For other repairs, file a complaint with your town's housing code enforcement office; you must wait at least 21 days after that complaint before filing in court.

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Connecticut

Questions about repairs in Connecticut

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Connecticut?

Ask the landlord in writing and keep a copy. For essential services, give notice before acting; the landlord has 48 hours before you may move to substitute housing. For other repairs, file a complaint with your town's housing code enforcement office; you must wait at least 21 days after that complaint before filing in court.

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Connecticut?

Only for essential services. If the landlord fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas or another essential service, you can give notice and then buy reasonable amounts of that service and deduct the actual cost from rent, or move to substitute housing (rent stops while the service is out). If the failure is willful, you can end the lease and recover two months' rent or double your damages. There is no general repair-and-deduct for other repairs. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13.

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Connecticut?

Do not just stop paying. Instead you can pay rent into court. First complain to your town's housing code or health office. At least 21 days later, you can file a sworn complaint in housing court ($25 fee, can be waived) and pay your rent to the court. The court can order repairs, appoint a receiver and reduce your rent. You cannot file if a notice to quit for nonpayment was served first. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Connecticut?

The landlord must give you reasonable written or oral notice and may enter only at reasonable times. No fixed number of hours is set. Without your consent the landlord may enter only in an emergency, with a court order, if you abandoned the unit, or during your extended absence. You may not unreasonably refuse entry for repairs, inspections or showings. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-16, 47a-16a.

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Connecticut?

For 6 months after you complain to a code or health agency or a fair rent commission, a town agency files a notice or order about a violation, you ask in good faith for repairs, you file a rent-into-court case, or you join a tenants' union, the landlord may not evict you, raise rent or cut services. Limited exceptions apply (for example, nonpayment of rent). Retaliation is a defense to eviction. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-20, 47a-20a, 47a-33.

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.