2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 21-83d. Damage or destruction of unit or premises. Noncompliance by owner with rental agreement or statutory responsibilities. Resident\'s remedies.

      Sec. 21-83d. Damage or destruction of unit or premises. Noncompliance by owner with rental agreement or statutory responsibilities. Resident'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 resident, unless such damage or destruction is caused by the resident's negligence or wilful act, upon vacating the premises shall not be liable to pay rent for such period of time as such impairment continues. In such case, the resident shall immediately vacate the premises and notify the owner 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 and the owner 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.

      (b) If there is a material noncompliance by the owner with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with section 21-82 which materially affects health and safety, the resident may deliver a written notice to the owner specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach. If the breach is not remedied in twenty-one days, the rental agreement shall terminate nine days thereafter. If substantially the same act or omission which constituted a prior noncompliance of which notice was given recurs within six months of the first act of noncompliance, the resident may terminate the rental agreement upon at least fourteen days written notice specifying (1) the date the breach complained of occurred and (2) the date the resident intends to terminate the rental agreement by vacating the premises, which date shall be within thirty days of such breach. The resident may not terminate the rental agreement under this subsection for a condition caused by the wilful or negligent act or omission of such resident, a member of his family, or other person on the premises with his consent.

      (c) Nothing in this section shall in any way restrict the resident's use of other remedies available to him under this chapter or any other chapter of the general statutes.

      (P.A. 91-383, S. 10.)