New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 305
Duty of occupant to keep premises clean, sanitary (New Haven Housing Code)
Operative Text
In addition to duties specified elsewhere in this title, every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, and premises thereof which he occupies and controls.
New Haven Code of Ordinances Title V § 305 establishes that every person who occupies a dwelling or dwelling unit bears responsibility for keeping the portions of the property they occupy and control in a clean and sanitary state. This duty applies on top of any other cleanliness or maintenance obligations found elsewhere in Title V. The rule focuses on the occupant's own sphere of control rather than shared or landlord-managed areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Title V § 305, the cleanliness obligation for occupied spaces falls on the occupant, which can be relevant when distinguishing between landlord and tenant responsibilities during inspections or code-enforcement proceedings. Compliant property managers typically document the condition of units at move-in and move-out to establish a clear baseline for what areas each party occupies and controls. Lease provisions that reinforce the occupant's duty under § 305 are commonly used to align contractual expectations with this code requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Title V § 305 places a direct responsibility on occupants to keep the areas they occupy and control clean and sanitary, meaning this obligation runs to the tenant personally, not just to the landlord. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly attributing unsanitary conditions to them—or who face code-enforcement action—may find it useful to document the condition of their unit and consult a local tenant-rights organization familiar with New Haven ordinances. Understanding the boundary between what an occupant controls versus what a landlord controls is central to how § 305 is applied.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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