Killingly, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. III § 4-79
Necessary repairs
Operative Text
Section 4-79 Necessary repairs A. Whenever an owner, operator or agent of any premise(s) fails, neglects or refuses to make repairs or other corrective action ordered by the notice of violation issued pursuant to this code, the Building Official by or through agents, employees, servants and/or contractors may undertake such repairs or action, when in the Building Official’s judgment a failure to make them will endanger the public health, safety or welfare, and the cost of such repairs and action will not exceed 50% of the fair market value of the premise(s) to be repaired. B. Notice of the intention to make such repairs or take other corrective action shall be served upon the owner, operator or agent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or in hand service by the Building Official, or his or her designee, or other Code Enforcement Officer. C. Every owner, operator or agent of a premise(s) who has received notice of the intention of the Building Official through agents, employees, servants and/or contractors to make repairs or take other corrective action shall give entry and free access to the agent of the Building Official for the purpose of making such repairs. Any owner, operator or agent of a premise(s) who refuses, impedes, interferes with or hinders or obstructs entry by such agent pursuant to a notice of intention to make repairs or take other corrective action shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $100 for each such failure to comply with this section. D. When repairs are made or other corrective action taken at the direction of the Building Official, the cost of such repairs and corrective action shall constitute a debt in favor of the Town of Killingly against the owner of the repaired structure. In the event such owner fails, neglects or refuses to pay the Town of Killingly the amount of this debt within 10 days of written demand therefore, it shall be recoverable in a civil action against the owner or the owner's successor, brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Town of Killingly which shall possess all rights of a private creditor.
Section 4-79 of the Killingly Rental Housing Standards Code establishes a process by which the Building Official can step in and complete required repairs when a property owner, operator, or agent fails to act on a violation notice and public health, safety, or welfare is at risk—provided the repair cost does not exceed 50% of the property's fair market value. Owners must allow the Building Official's agents access to the property once proper notice has been given by registered or certified mail or in-person service. Any costs incurred by the Town for completing those repairs become a recoverable debt against the property owner, collectible through civil action if not paid within 10 days of written demand.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Section 4-79, compliant property owners and operators respond promptly to violation notices issued under the Killingly Rental Housing Standards Code and complete all ordered repairs before the Building Official determines that inaction endangers public health, safety, or welfare. When the Building Official issues a notice of intention to make repairs, operators generally ensure that their agents or representatives provide full entry and access to Town-authorized contractors, since obstruction or refusal to allow entry carries a penalty of not less than $100 for each instance of non-compliance. Owners should also be aware that any repair costs the Town incurs on their behalf under this section become a debt owed to the Town of Killingly, recoverable through civil action if not settled within 10 days of written demand.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-79 provides a mechanism that can benefit tenants when a landlord fails to make court-ordered or code-required repairs: the Building Official may step in and arrange for those repairs directly when public health, safety, or welfare is at risk. Tenants who are aware of unaddressed violation notices at their residence may find it useful to contact the Killingly Building Official's office to understand whether this provision applies to their building's situation. Tenant-rights organizations can help renters understand how the notice and access requirements under Section 4-79 interact with their broader rights under the Killingly Rental Housing Standards Code.
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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