Connecticut General Statutes 47a-14 – Damage or destruction of unit. Tenant’s remedies
(a) If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty to an extent that enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant, unless such damage or destruction is caused by the tenant’s negligence or wilful act, shall not be liable to pay rent for such period of time as such impairment continues. In such case, the tenant may (1) immediately vacate the premises and notify the landlord in writing within fourteen days thereafter of his intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement shall terminate as of the date of vacating; or (2) if continued occupancy is lawful, vacate any part of the dwelling unit rendered unusable by the fire or other casualty, in which case the tenant’s liability for use and occupancy shall be reduced in proportion to the diminution in the fair rental value of the dwelling unit.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 47a-14
- Dwelling unit: means any house or building, or portion thereof, which is occupied, is designed to be occupied, or is rented, leased or hired out to be occupied, as a home or residence of one or more persons. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
- Landlord: means the owner, lessor or sublessor of the dwelling unit, the building of which it is a part or the premises. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
- Premises: means a dwelling unit and the structure of which it is a part and facilities and appurtenances therein and grounds, areas and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or whose use is promised to the tenant. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
- Rent: means all periodic payments to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
- Rental agreement: means all agreements, written or oral, and valid rules and regulations adopted under section 47a-9 or subsection (d) of section 21-70 embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit or premises. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
- Tenant: means the lessee, sublessee or person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit or premises to the exclusion of others or as is otherwise defined by law. See Connecticut General Statutes 47a-1
(b) If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security and prepaid rent recoverable under section 47a-21. Accounting for rent, in the event of termination or apportionment, shall be made as of the date of the fire or other casualty.