New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-10
Retaliatory action prohibited
Operative Text
(a) In any action for summary process, it shall be an affirmative defense pursuant to Connecticut Public Act 315 of the 1969 General Assembly that the plaintiff brought such action against the tenant solely because of a complaint which was filed with the commission or because the tenant or complainant has taken any other action with reference to the matter covered by this chapter. (b) Pursuant to Public Act 83-425 of the Connecticut General Assembly, any tenant who claims that the action of their landlord constitutes retaliatory action may file a notice of said claim with the Fair Rent Commission. (c) It shall be retaliatory action for a landlord to revoke an offer to renew a tenant's lease, bring an action or proceeding against the tenant to recover possession of the dwelling unit, demand an increase in rent from the tenant, decrease the services to which the tenant has previously been entitled or verbally, physically, or sexually harass a tenant because the tenant has filed a complaint with the fair rent commission, the Livable City Initiative (LCI), the health, building or fire departments, relating to the conditions of the tenant's housing unit, within six (6) months after the filing of such complaint or while an order from any city agency against the landlord regarding the property in question remains open. The commission may administratively dismiss any complaint made by a tenant who fails to comply with three (3) attempts to permit inspections by relevant municipal departments. (d) It shall be an affirmative defense against a claim of retaliatory action when the landlord seeks to recover possession of the dwelling unit if: (1) The tenant is using the dwelling unit for an illegal purpose; (2) There is nonpayment of rent by the tenant; (3) The landlord in good faith seeks to recover the dwelling unit for immediate use as their own abode; (4) The conditions complained of were caused by the willful actions of the tenant or another person in the tenant's household or a person on the premises with the tenant's consent; (5) The landlord seeks to recover possession of the dwelling unit on the basis of notice to terminate a periodic tenancy previous to the tenant's complaint.
New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-10 prohibits landlords from taking adverse actions against tenants — such as revoking a lease renewal offer, initiating eviction proceedings, raising rent, reducing services, or engaging in harassment — in response to a tenant's complaint filed with the Fair Rent Commission, the Livable City Initiative, or health, building, or fire departments. This protection applies within six months of such a complaint or while a city agency order against the landlord remains open. The provision also establishes specific circumstances, such as nonpayment of rent or illegal use of the unit, under which a landlord's action to recover possession is not considered retaliatory.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12¾ § 12¾-10, compliant property owners and managers are careful to ensure that any lease non-renewal, rent increase, service change, or eviction proceeding is grounded in documented, legitimate reasons entirely unrelated to a tenant's recent complaint to a city agency. Operators generally maintain clear records showing the business or legal basis for any adverse action, particularly within the six-month window following a tenant complaint. Landlords should also be aware that certain defenses — such as nonpayment of rent, illegal use of the unit, or a good-faith need to reclaim the unit as a personal residence — are recognized under this provision as valid grounds for seeking possession even when a complaint has been filed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 12¾ § 12¾-10 gives tenants the right to raise retaliatory action as an affirmative defense in a summary process (eviction) proceeding if they believe the landlord's action was triggered by a complaint filed with the Fair Rent Commission, LCI, or a city department. Tenants who believe they are experiencing retaliation may also file a notice of that claim directly with the Fair Rent Commission under the procedures established by this section. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand how this provision interacts with their specific circumstances and what documentation may be relevant to their situation.
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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