CT HB06881

Amends tenant rights when landlords fail to provide required essential services including heat, running water, hot water, electricity, and gas.

Reduces the timeframe for landlord non-compliance before tenants can secure substitute housing from two business days to forty-eight hours.

Allows tenants to immediately secure substitute housing if the same service breach recurs within six months.

Permits tenants to deduct actual and reasonable costs of procuring essential services from rent, terminate the lease with damages up to two months' rent or double actual damages (whichever is greater), or obtain substitute housing.

Requires landlords to return all security deposits, prepaid rent, and required interest if the rental agreement is terminated for willful failure to provide essential services (effective October 1, 2017).