Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. II (2026) § 9-31
Definitions (Groton Art. II: Fair Rent Commission)
Operative Text
Unless otherwise provided by C.G.S. §§ 7-148b through 7-148f or other applicable provisions of state law, the following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: COMMISSION Shall mean the fair rent commission of the town. HOUSING ACCOMMODATION Shall mean any building or structure in the town, including mobile homes and mobile home park lots, wholly or in part, containing living quarters occupied for residential purposes, with any land or building appurtenant thereto and any services, furniture and facilities supplied in connection therewith, except the following: (1) A hospital, convent, rectory, monastery, asylum, public institution, college or school dormitory or any institution operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes. (2) Any housing accommodations owned and operated by the United States, the state, the housing authority of the town, or by any political subdivision of such governmental entities, or by any nonprofit organization receiving subsidy from such governmental entities for the operation of such housing accommodations. (3) Apartments for which the amount of rent paid by the tenant is based on the tenant's income in accordance with regulations established by federal or state government. (4) Housing accommodations exempted by C.G.S. § 7-148b; i.e. housing accommodations rented on a seasonal basis where those accommodations are rented for a period or periods aggregating not more than 120 days in any one calendar year. (5) Hotels and motels. (6) Such other exceptions as may in the future be enacted by amendment to the above state laws. LANDLORD Shall mean any person who leases, subleases, rents or permits the occupancy of any housing accommodation in the town, including a person who manages a housing accommodation owned by someone else. RENT or RENTAL CHARGES Shall mean any consideration, monetary or otherwise, including any bonus, benefit or gratuity, demanded or received for the use or occupancy of any housing accommodation, and also includes a benefit derived from a decrease in services. TENANT Shall mean any person who leases or rents, whether by written or oral lease, any housing accommodation in the town as a residence for himself and/or his immediate family.
Section 9-31 of Groton's Code of Ordinances establishes the core definitions that govern how the town's fair rent article is applied. Key terms such as 'housing accommodation,' 'landlord,' 'rent,' and 'tenant' are given specific meanings that determine who and what falls within the article's scope. Certain properties are explicitly excluded from coverage, including hospitals, government-owned housing, income-based subsidized apartments, seasonal rentals of 120 days or fewer per year, and hotels and motels. These definitions work in tandem with Connecticut General Statutes §§ 7-148b through 7-148f, which may provide additional or overriding guidance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9-31, a 'landlord' is defined broadly to include not just property owners but also anyone who manages a housing accommodation on behalf of an owner, so property managers operating in Groton should be aware they fall within the article's reach. 'Rent' is defined expansively to cover non-monetary consideration and even benefits derived from a decrease in services, meaning operators should understand that reducing services could itself be treated as a rental charge adjustment. Landlords whose properties fall into one of the listed exclusions—such as seasonal rentals aggregating no more than 120 days per calendar year—should document that status carefully, as the exclusion under § 9-31 depends on meeting specific criteria set out in C.G.S. § 7-148b.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9-31 defines 'tenant' to include anyone who occupies a housing accommodation in Groton as a residence under either a written or oral lease, which means oral-lease renters are generally covered by the article's protections. The definition of 'rent' is broad enough to encompass non-cash benefits and reductions in services, so tenants who experience a cutback in amenities or services may have grounds to raise that as a concern under this article. Tenants who believe their housing situation is covered—or who are told it is excluded—may wish to consult the Groton Fair Rent Commission or a tenant-rights organization to better understand how § 9-31's definitions apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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