Renters Have Legal Rights Presented By: Hartford Equal Justice Collaborative CT Alliance for Basic Human Needs 65 Hungerford St., Hartford 860-904-5431 pserrecchia@cabhn.org www.cabhn.org CTAllianceforBasicHumanNeeds

During the Presentation You’ll Hear About General information Resources

Security Deposits Before you move in… While you live there… Landlord can ask for 3 month’s rent Two month’s rent in security deposit, and First month’s rent Pay by check or money order, get a receipt Take photos or make notes about any problems with the apartment If you are 62 or older…. Landlord can ask for only one month’s rent in security deposit After one year of living in public senior housing, your landlord MUST return your entire security deposit plus interest While you live there… Every year the landlord must pay you interest on your security deposit

Security Deposits-When You Move Out Write a letter to your landlord To: [Landlord’s name, Landlord’s address, and Date] I was a tenant at: [Address of the place you lived]. My move-out date was: [Date you moved]. The law says you must return my security deposit, [list amount] plus interest, within 30 days of receiving this letter. Please mail it to me at this address: [List an address where you can get mail]. [Your signature, date, and printed name] Make 3 copies of your letter: Mail one copy to the landlord certified mail, one regular mail, and keep one for your records. *Take photos-you can’t be charged for normal wear and tear to the apartment *If there’s a new landlord-You still have the right to get your security deposit back. Mail your letter to the new landlord.

Security Deposits-After You Mail the Letter Landlord has 30 days after receiving your letter to return your deposit minus a listed cost of any repairs. If he doesn’t return your deposit or give you a list of repairs within 30 days, he must pay you double (Security Deposit + Interest x 2). To get your deposit: Sue the landlord in Small Claims Court, or File a complaint Security Deposit Investigator, Connecticut Department of Banking 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103 dob.sd@ct.gov, 860-240-8154, 800-831-7225 x8154

If Your Apartment Needs Repairs Pay your rent on time even if your apartment needs repairs! Landlords must fix certain problems like peeling paint, broken windows; plumbing, electrical, or heating systems that don't work; bedbugs or roaches; no smoke detector. Ask your landlord to make repairs If you ask in person, make sure there is a witness. If you ask in writing, keep a copy of your letter. If he doesn’t fix your apartment… Call the Code Enforcement office in your town to file a complaint. In Hartford, call (860) 757-9210. Call 211 for other towns. Show the inspector everything that needs to be fixed, and write down the inspector's name.

Repairs-Going to Court If the problems aren’t fixed within 21 days of your complaint, you can sue your landlord in court. Starting a Lawsuit Fill out 2 forms. Notice of Suit and Complaint. Staff at the Court Service Center or the court clerk can help. File the forms with the Housing Court clerk. Go to court on your hearing date and tell the judge what happened. Bring pictures, witnesses, and inspector reports. Once you start your lawsuit, you will pay rent to the court – not to your landlord.

Paying Your Rent Pay by check or money order by the 10th of each month (or 5th day of the week if you are renting weekly) Write “Rent in full for the month of (or week) of___”. Get a receipt! If you don’t pay by the deadline, the landlord can charge a late fee and may start an eviction against you. Do Not pay cash! Do Not stop paying rent!

Reasons You Can Be Evicted Not paying rent You DO NOT have a lease and your landlord wants you out for any reason You broke your lease or the law, i.e. sold drug there or damaged the apartment Your landlord CANNOT evict you without reason OR raise your rent if you asked him to fix your apartment, complained to the housing code office or Fair Rent Commission, or joined a tenants’ union in the last 6 months.

Eviction-What is the Process? You will get a Notice to Quit telling you to leave by a certain date. You DO NOT have to leave by that date! You will get a Summons and Complaint from a Marshal. Go to the Court Clerk’s Office & file an Appearance and Answer Go to Court you and your landlord will meet with a Housing Mediator *If no agreement is made with the Mediator you will go to trial and the Judge will decide your case. Make sure you bring all receipts, photos, witnesses, and anything else that will help your case! ONLY A JUDGE CAN EVICT YOU!

If Your Landlord Was Foreclosed You don't have to move out right away! You can stay until the end of your lease. If you don’t have a lease, the new owner has to give you 90 days written notice before starting an eviction. Pay rent to the new owner with a check or money order.  If you can’t find the new owner, or he refuses your rent, keep a record of how you tried to pay and keep the rent money in a safe place.  If the new owner tries to evict you, show the court your records. If you have section 8 or rent subsidy the new owner has to take over your lease. Talk to your worker. Repairs and utilities – The new owner must provide the same repairs, maintenance and utilities as your old landlord.  *The bank might offer you money to move out.  The offer must be the HIGHEST of two month's rent, two times the security deposit, or $2,000. If the offer is less than this, call the Attorney General's office at 860-808-5318.

When Your Landlord Can Enter Your Apartment Your landlord can go into your apartment if he tells you in writing or in person, and he Wants to go in a reasonable time of day, and/or Wants to go in to do needed repairs or inspections, or to show your apartment to potential buyers, tenants or contractors/workers Your landlord can go into your apartment without telling you in advance if there is A real emergency, like water leaking into the apartment below yours You abandoned the apartment and moved out

Discrimination Whether you are renting or buying a home, you have the right to choose where you live. Landlords can’t discriminate because of your Race, religion, national origin, color, Family, if you have children, are married or single Sexual orientation or gender identity, or Disability If you think you’ve been discriminated against, contact Connecticut Fair Housing Center 221 Main Street, Suite 401, Hartford, CT 06106 860-247-4400 or 888-247-4401 CT Human Rights & Opportunities Fair Housing Unit 21 Grand St., Hartford, CT 06106 860-541-3403 or 800-477-5737 x3403

Subsidized Housing To receive notification of subsidized housing openings: Call 211 Get on our CABHN email list, nboone@cabhn.org