Find out about protections and rights for those who are elderly or physically disabled who live in a building with 5 or more units, and protections from eviction in certain other cases.

If your landlord is trying to evict you and you think you should be protected by "good cause," get legal advice so you can protect yourself in court. 

• Introduction
• Who is protected by "good cause law"?
• Good cause law also protects you in...
• What is "good cause" and for what reasons could I be evicted?
• Can my landlord raise my rent?
• How is it decided if a rent increase is fair and equitable?
• More information

Introduction

A landlord can start an eviction action against any tenant at any time unless the tenant is protected by "good cause law" (see below). The "good cause law" will protect certain tenants from being evicted.

Important: You do not have to move just because your landlord has started an eviction against you. You have the right to stay until a court tells you that you must move. (See our articles The Eviction Process - Before the Judge Decides and The Eviction Process - After the Judge Decides.)

Who is protected by "good cause law"?

Good cause law protects tenants

• who live in a building or complex that has at least five dwelling units;

AND

• who are blind or physically disabled (the disability must be expected to last for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death), or
• who are 62 years of age or older, or
• whose spouse, brother, sister, parent, or grandparent is 62 years of age or older and permanently lives in the unit.

Note: The judge may require proof of the disability, blindness, or age. (For example, a Social Security Notice of Award.)

Good cause law also protects you in...

• Landlord Foreclosures
  Good cause also protects tenants who are in danger of eviction by a bank as part of a foreclosure case against the landlord.

  You must be blind or physically disabled, OR age 62 or older, OR have a relative 62 or older who permanently lives in your home. AND there must be five or more dwelling units.

• Mobile Home Parks
  Good cause also protects tenants who live in a mobile home park if they own the mobile home.

  You do not have to be blind, physically disabled, or age 62 or older to be protected by good cause law if you own a home in a mobile home park.

• Condominium Conversions
  You have special rights if your landlord wants to turn your apartment into a condominium unit that can be bought or sold.

  You do not have to be blind, physically disabled, or age 62 or older to have these special rights.

What is "good cause" and for what reasons could I be evicted?

"Good cause" means that your landlord can only evict you for certain reasons.

Can my landlord raise my rent?

Your rent may not be increased unless the increase is "fair and equitable." (See below.) If you think the rent increase is not fair and equitable, you should file a complaint with your local Fair Rent Commission, if your town has one. (See our article, Tenants Rights: Fair Rent Commission.) If your town does not have a Fair Rent Commission, you can sue in court to stop the rent increase.

How is it decided if a rent increase is fair and equitable?

Several things are looked at in deciding what is fair and equitable, including:

• the amount of rent charged for similar apartments in the same town;
• the condition of the unit and whether repairs are needed;
• whether heat and utilities are included in the rent;
• the number and size of bedrooms;
• the tenant's income; and
• the landlord's costs.

This pamphlet was produced by the Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT in cooperation with CT Legal Services, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, New Haven Legal Assistance Association, and Statewide Legal Services.

The information in this pamphlet is based on laws in Connecticut as of November 2009. We hope that the information is helpful. It is not intended as legal advice for an individual situation. If you need further help and have not done so already, please call Statewide Legal Services (see above) or contact an attorney.