Landlords, READ THIS: Major Connecticut Housing Bills Could Change Everything in 2025

As of spring 2025, several bills moving through the Connecticut General Assembly could significantly impact how landlords operate. While aimed at strengthening tenant protections, these proposals—if signed into law—would introduce new limitations, procedures, and financial obligations for housing providers across the state.

This article offers a detailed breakdown of the most relevant bills, where they stand in the legislative process, and how they could affect your responsibilities as a landlord. It also provides guidance on how landlords can take action, whether in support or opposition.

🏛️ Overview of the Bills

Bill Number	Subject	Current Status
HB 6889	Just Cause Eviction Expansion	Reported Favorably by Housing Committee
HB 6891	Security Deposit Cap	Reported Favorably by Housing Committee
HB 6892	Rent Increase Limits After Ownership Change	Reported Favorably by Housing Committee
HB 6939	State Funding for Right to Counsel Program	Reported Favorably by Housing Committee
HB 6943	Tenant Protections: Fees, Notices, and More	Reported Favorably by Housing Committee

🧾 1. HB 6889 — An Act Concerning Evictions for Cause

Summary: This bill would prohibit landlords from ending tenancies by simply allowing leases to lapse (“no-fault” or “lapse of time” evictions) in many multi-unit buildings and mobile home parks. Instead, eviction would only be allowed for specific “just cause” reasons.

Key Provisions:

Applies to tenants who have lived in a building or park with 5+ units for at least 13 months, even if they are not elderly or disabled.
Evictions must be for reasons such as:
- Nonpayment of rent
- Material lease violations
- Nuisance or health/safety issues
- Refusal to accept a fair rent increase
- Removal of the unit from the housing market
- Personal use by the landlord or a close relative (under strict conditions)
Prohibits enforcement of certain eviction grounds during an active lease term.
Expands requirement for landlords to provide tenants with written notice of their rights, with updated versions in multiple languages by 2028.

Impact on Landlords:

Loss of flexibility to end month-to-month or expired leases without proving cause.
Risk of being tied into long-term relationships with tenants even after lease terms end.
Increased administrative work to document violations and justify rent increases.
May influence how landlords screen new tenants to mitigate risk.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025

💰 2. HB 6891 — Security Deposit Limit

Summary: Caps all residential security deposits at one month’s rent, regardless of tenant age.

Key Provisions:

Replaces current law allowing two months’ rent for tenants under 62.
Requires landlords to return the excess if they’ve already collected more than one month from any tenant.

Impact on Landlords:

Reduces financial security for landlords when leasing to higher-risk tenants.
May increase exposure to unpaid rent or damage.
Could lead landlords to raise monthly rent to compensate for increased risk.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025 (applies to rental agreements signed on or after this date)

📈 3. HB 6892 — Rent Increase Restrictions After Property Transfer

Summary: Restricts how much a new property owner can raise rents within the first year after acquiring a rental property.

Key Provisions:

Any rent increase over 10% during the first 12 months post-sale is presumed excessive unless:
- The new owner has completed major renovations involving at least two primary building systems (e.g., plumbing, electrical, HVAC).

Impact on Landlords:

Newly acquired properties may be subject to rent increase limitations, even if the previous owner had below-market rents.
Could affect the valuation and investment appeal of rental properties.
Adds uncertainty when underwriting acquisitions or planning capital improvements.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

⚖️ 4. HB 6939 — Funding for the Right to Counsel Program

Summary: Allows state funds to be used to support the Right to Counsel program, which provides free legal representation for income-eligible tenants facing eviction or subsidy termination.

Key Provisions:

Administered by the Judicial Branch through contracts with nonprofit legal aid providers.
Includes outreach and education components.
Program has been federally funded to date; this bill opens the door for state tax dollars to support ongoing operations.

Impact on Landlords:

More tenants will have legal representation, potentially prolonging or complicating the eviction process.
Could increase court costs or negotiation time during disputes.
May lead to higher legal fees or need for landlords to retain counsel in more cases.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

📑 5. HB 6943 — Broader Tenant Protections

Summary: This wide-reaching bill adds various new requirements and prohibitions to landlord-tenant relationships.

Key Provisions:

Late fees & surcharges: Prohibits lease clauses charging extra rent for month-to-month tenancies or holdover situations.
Accounting transparency: Requires landlords to provide a payment ledger on request.
Unfair lease terms: Makes it an unfair trade practice to market or use leases that include illegal or unenforceable terms.
Rent increase notices: Must be in writing and include a statement about the tenant's right to file a fair rent complaint (if applicable).

Impact on Landlords:

Restricts rent pricing flexibility for month-to-month tenants.
Landlords will need to ensure all lease templates are fully compliant to avoid being cited for unfair business practices.
May increase tenant disputes and fair rent commission complaints.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

🗳️ What Can Landlords Do?

These bills have passed the Housing Committee and are moving through the General Assembly. Here's how you can get involved:

✅ Take Action:

Contact Your Legislators
- Visit cga.ct.gov and search for your representatives.
- Call or email to express how these bills would impact you as a housing provider.
Submit Testimony
- For bills that haven’t yet had a full House or Senate vote, submit public comment or testimony through the Connecticut General Assembly portal.
Join Landlord Associations
- Collaborate with organizations like the Connecticut Apartment Association (CTAA) or regional landlord groups to amplify your voice.
Stay Informed
- Monitor the bill statuses at cga.ct.gov.
- Sign up for alerts through your local real estate board or housing coalition.

📌 Staying Ahead of The Curve

While tenant protections are an important aspect of housing policy, the breadth of these bills—particularly the just cause eviction limits and rent control-style restrictions—marks a significant shift in Connecticut’s landlord-tenant law. If enacted, these measures will require landlords to adapt business practices, update leases, and consider new risk mitigation strategies.

Whether you manage a handful of units or operate a large portfolio, now is the time to review how these proposals might affect your properties—and to make your voice heard in the legislative process.

🏠 Need Help Managing Your Property?

Navigating new laws can be overwhelming—especially with changes that impact evictions, rent increases, and lease agreements. If you're feeling uncertain about the future or simply want to offload the day-to-day stress of managing tenants and compliance, we’re here to help.

📞 Contact us below to learn more about our full-service property management solutions. Let us handle the headaches—so you can focus on the returns.

⚖️ Disclaimer

Please note: We are not attorneys, and nothing in this article should be interpreted as legal advice. The summaries and interpretations provided are for general informational purposes only. If you have specific questions or concerns about how these proposed laws may affect your rights or responsibilities as a landlord, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney.

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