AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS.

Senate
SB274 / File No. 153 1

General Assembly File No. 153
February Session, 2026 Senate Bill No. 274

Senate, March 24, 2026

The Committee on Planning and Development reported
through SEN. RAHMAN of the 4th Dist., Chairperson of the
Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION
AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE
CODE VIOLATIONS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 47a -6a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 2
(a) As used in this section: [,] 3
(1) ["address"] "Address" means a location as described by the full 4
street number, if any, the street name, the city or town, and the state, 5
and not a mailing address such as a post office box; [,] 6
(2) ["dwelling unit"] "Dwelling unit" means any house or building, or 7
portion thereof, which is rented, leased or hired out to be occupied, or 8
is arranged or designed to be occupied, or is occupied, as the home or 9
residence of one or more persons, living independently of each other, 10
and doing their cooking upon the premises, and having a common right 11
in the halls, stairways or yards; [,] 12
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(3) ["agent in charge" ] "Agent in charge" or "agent" means [one] an 13
individual who manages real [estate] property, including, but not 14
limited to, the collection of rents, [and] supervision and maintenance of 15
such property, and ensuring such property complies with state and local 16
codes; 17
(4) ["controlling participant" ] "Controlling participant" means an 18
individual [that] who exercises day -to-day financial or operational 19
control; [, and] 20
(5) ["project-based housing provider" ] "Project-based housing 21
provider" means a property owner who contracts with the United States 22
Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing to 23
tenants under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, 42 USC 24
1437f(o); 25
(6) "Identifying information" means proof of an individual's name, 26
date of birth, current residential address, motor vehicle operator's 27
license number or other identification number issued by any 28
government agency or entity; 29
(7) "Nonresident owner" means an individual, corporation, 30
partnership, trust or other legally recognized entity, who does not reside 31
at rental real property, who is (A) an owner, as defined in section 47a-1, 32
of such real property, or (B) the controlling participant of the entity that 33
owns such real property; and 34
(8) "Population" means the number of persons according to the most 35
recent federal decennial census. 36
(b) Any municipality with a population of fewer than twenty -five 37
thousand may, and any municipality with a population of twenty -five 38
thousand or more shall, require the nonresident owner or project-based 39
housing provider of occupied or vacant rental real property to report to 40
the tax assessor, or other municipal [office] officer designated by the 41
municipality, the current residential address of the (1) nonresident 42
owner or project -based housing provider of such property, if the 43
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nonresident owner or project -based housing provider is an individual, 44
or [the current residential address of the ] (2) agent in charge of the 45
building, if the nonresident owner or project-based housing provider is 46
a corporation, partnership, trust or other legally recognized entity . 47
[owning rental real property in the state.] If [the] a nonresident [owners] 48
owner or project-based housing [providers are ] provider is a 49
corporation, partnership, trust or other legally recognized entity , 50
[owning rental real property in the state,] such report shall also include 51
identifying information and the current residential address of each 52
controlling participant associated with the property. If such residential 53
address changes, [notice of ] the new residential address shall be 54
[provided] reported by such nonresident owner, project-based housing 55
provider or agent in charge of the building to the office of the tax 56
assessor or other designated municipal [office] officer not more than 57
twenty-one days after the date that the address change occurred. If the 58
nonresident owner, project -based housing provider or agent fails to 59
[file] report an address under this section, the address to which the 60
municipality mails property tax bills for the rental real property shall be 61
deemed to be the nonresident owner, project-based housing provider or 62
agent's current address. Such address may be used for compliance with 63
the provisions of subsection [(c)] (d) of this section. 64
(c) In addition to the residential address required pursuant to 65
subsection (b) of this section, any municipality with a population of 66
twenty-five thousand or more shall require the nonresident owner, 67
project-based housing provider or agent in charge, as applicable, to 68
report to the tax assessor, or other municipal officer designated by the 69
municipality, accurate identifying information concerning such 70
nonresident owner, project-based housing provider or agent in charge. 71
[(c)] (d) Service of a state or municipal [orders] order relating to the 72
maintenance of such rental real property or compliance with state law 73
and local codes concerning such real property directed to the 74
nonresident owner, project -based housing provider or agent at the 75
address [on file,] reported by such owner, provider or agent or deemed 76
to be [on file in accordance with the provisions of this section ] such 77
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owner, provider or agent's address , shall be sufficient proof of service 78
of notice of such [orders] order in any subsequent criminal or civil action 79
against the owner, project -based housing provider or agent for failure 80
to comply with [the orders] such order. The provisions of this section 81
shall not be construed to limit the validity of any other means of giving 82
notice of such orders that may be used by the state or such municipality. 83
[(d) Any person who violates] (e) A violation of any provision of this 84
section shall [have committed an infraction ] be punishable by a fine 85
pursuant to the provisions of section 47a-6b. 86
[(e)] (f) Any report provided to a tax assessor pursuant to subsection 87
(b) or (c) of this section [on or after October 1, 2023,] shall be confidential 88
and shall not be disclosed under chapter 14. 89
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 47a -7 of the general statutes is 90
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 91
1, 2026): 92
(a) A landlord shall: (1) Comply with the requirements of chapter 93
368o and all applicable building and housing codes materially affecting 94
health and safety of both the state or any political subdivision thereof; 95
(2) make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the 96
premises in a fit and habitable condition, except where the premises are 97
intentionally rendered unfit or uninhabitable by the tenant, a member 98
of [his] such tenant's family or other person on the premises with [his] 99
such tenant's consent, in which case such duty shall be the responsibility 100
of [the] such tenant; (3) keep all common areas of the premises in a clean 101
and safe condition; (4) maintain in good and safe working order and 102
condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating and 103
other facilities and appliances and elevators, supplied or required to be 104
supplied by [him] such tenant ; (5) provide and maintain appropriate 105
receptacles for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish and other waste 106
incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit and arrange for their 107
removal; [and] (6) supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot 108
water at all times and reasonable heat except if the building which 109
includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that 110
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purpose or if the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water 111
is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant 112
or supplied by a direct public utility connection ; and (7) comply with 113
the requirements of section 47a-6a, as amended by this act. 114
Sec. 3. Section 29 -254a of the general statutes is repealed and the 115
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 116
Any person who violates any provision of the State Building Code 117
shall, for the first offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or 118
more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six 119
months, or both, and, for any subsequent offense, be fined not less than 120
five hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars. 121
Sec. 4. Subsection (e) of section 29 -291c of the general statutes is 122
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 123
1, 2026): 124
(e) In addition to the fine prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, 125
any person who violates any provision of the State Fire Prevention Code 126
or Fire Safety Code shall , for a first offense, be fined not less than two 127
hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned 128
not more than six months, or both , and, for any subsequent offense, be 129
fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand 130
dollars. 131
Sec. 5. Section 29 -394 of the general statutes is repealed and the 132
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026): 133
Any person who, by [himself or his ] such person or such person's 134
agent, fails to comply with the written order of a building inspector for 135
the provision of additional exit facilities in a building, the repair or 136
alteration of a building or the removal of a building or any portion 137
thereof, shall , for a first offense, be fined not less than two hundred 138
dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more 139
than six months, or both , and, for any subsequent offense, be fined not 140
less than five hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars. 141
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This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 47a-6a
Sec. 2 October 1, 2026 47a-7(a)
Sec. 3 October 1, 2026 29-254a
Sec. 4 October 1, 2026 29-291c(e)
Sec. 5 October 1, 2026 29-394

PD Joint Favorable

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The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential
Revenue Gain
Minimal Minimal
Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Various Municipalities Potential
Revenue
Gain
Minimal Minimal

Explanation
The bill (1) makes various changes regarding reporting requirements
for property owners and landlords which results in a potential revenue
gain to municipalities beginning in FY 27, and (2) increases fines for fire
and building code violations which results in a potential re venue gain
to the state beginning in FY 27.
Sections 1 and 2 require municipalities with a population of 25,000
or more to require certain residential property owners and landlords to
report information to the municipality and establishes that failure to do
so will result in a penalty of up to $500 for a first viol ation and up to
$1,000 for subsequent violations. 1 This results in a potential minimal
revenue gain to municipalities beginning in FY 27 to the extent these

1 According to the CT Department of Health population estimates, in 2024 there were
46 municipalities in Connecticut with a population of 25,000 or more.
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penalties are imposed and collected.
Sections 3 to 5 increase the fines for second and subsequent
violations of certain fire and building code sections, resulting in a
minimal potential revenue gain to the state.2

The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to the number of violations.

2 Between FY 22 and FY 25, there were a total 296 offenses recorded and $2,000 in fines
collected under CGS §§ 29-254a, 29-291c, and 29-394.
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OLR Bill Analysis
SB 274

AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD
REGISTRATION AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT
BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS.

SUMMARY
This bill requires municipalities with a population of at least 25,000
based on the most recent decennial census (“covered municipalities”) to
require certain residential property owners and landlords to report
specified information to the municipality, su ch as their current
residential address. Existing law allows, but does not require, all
municipalities to do so. The bill also modifies the reporting requirement
for these municipalities to include other identifying information for the
owner, landlord, or agent in charge of the building. Under current law,
the identifying information requirement applies only to certain people
associated with a business entity that owns rental property.
The bill eliminates the infraction penalty for violating the reporting
requirement and specifies that these violations are punishable according
to municipal civil penalties authorized under existing law.
The bill adds complying with the modified reporting requirement to
the law’s list of landlord responsibilities (§ 2). Under existing law, (1)
rental agreements cannot allow landlords to receive rent payments for
any period during which the landlord is nonc ompliant with these
responsibilities (CGS § 47a -4a) and (2) a tenant who claims that the
landlord failed to perform his or her legal duties may generally start an
action in Superior Court to seek relief (CGS § 47a-14h).
The bill also sets increased fines for repeat violations of the State
Building Code, the State Fire Prevention Code and Fire Safety Code, and
certain written orders by building inspectors.
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Lastly, it makes technical, conforming, and other minor changes, such
as specifying that the duties of agents in charge of a building include
maintenance and ensuring the property complies with state and local
codes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2026
§ 1 — MUNICIPAL LANDLORD IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Current law allows municipalities to require nonresident property
owners and landlords renting to federal Housing Choice Voucher
program participants (also known as “project-based housing providers”
or PBHPs) to report certain information to the tax assess or or another
designated municipal officer. This information must include the
following:
1. the owner’s or PBHP’s current residential address, if they are an
individual, or
2. the current residential address of (a) the agent in charge of the
building and (b) each person who exercises day -to-day financial
or operational control of the property (“controlling
participants”), if the owner or PBHP is a business entity (a
corporation, partnership, trust, or other legally recognized
entity).
For business entities, this report must also include identifying
information for the controlling participants.
Identifying Information and Nonresident Owners
Current law does not define “identifying information,” but under the
bill it is proof of a person’s name, birthdate, current residential address,
driver’s license number, or other government -issued identification
number. The bill also defines “nonresident owner,” as a person or
business entity that does not live at the rental property and is either (1)
an owner (one or more people with legal title to the property or
beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the
premises, including mor tgagees in possession) or (2) the controlling
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participant of the entity that owns the property (see above).
Covered Municipalities
Under the bill, covered municipalities must require nonresident
property owners and PBHPs to report the information described above
to them. For these municipalities, the bill also expands the reporting
requirement to include accurate identifying informati on for the
nonresident owner, PBHP, or agent in charge.
FOIA Exemption
Under current law, reports made to a tax assessor on or after October
1, 2023, are exempt from disclosure under the state’s Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). The bill makes these reports exempt regardless
of when they were made.
Violations of Reporting Requirement
Existing law allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance setting a
civil penalty for violations of the reporting requirement discussed
above. The penalty cannot exceed $500 for a first violation and $1,000
for subsequent violations. Anyone assessed a civil penalty may appeal
to Superior Court (CGS § 47a-6b).
The bill eliminates an additional infraction penalty (see
BACKGROUND — Infractions) for violations of the reporting
requirement and instead specifies that these violations are punishable
according to the civil penalty provision described above.
§§ 3-5 — PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN REPEAT CODE VIOLATIONS
The bill sets increased fines for repeat violations of (1) the State
Building Code; (2) the State Fire Prevention Code and Fire Safety Code;
and (3) a building inspector’s written order for providing additional
exits, making repairs or alterations, or removing the buil ding or a
portion of it. The bill keeps current law’s penalties for these violations
for a first offense (a fine between $200 and $1,000, imprisonment up to
six months, or both). Under the bill, the penalties for subsequent
violations are as follows:
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1. State Building Code or building inspector’s written order: a fine
between $500 and $2,000; and
2. State Fire Prevention Code and Fire Safety Code: a fine between
$500 and $1,000.
Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the fire code -related
violations may also be subject to a fine of $50 per day for each day the
violation continues.
BACKGROUND
Infractions
Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court
judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an
additional fee based on the fine’s amount. An infraction is not a crime,
and violators can pay the fine by mail without making a court
appearance.
Related Bills
sHB 5161, reported favorably by the Housing Committee, has similar
provisions to §§ 1 & 2. sSB 408, § 3, reported favorably by the Public
Safety and Security Committee, has similar provisions to § 1.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Planning and Development Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/06/2026)