(a) If any building constructed as, or altered into, a tenement house is occupied in whole or in part for human habitation in violation of the provisions of the state building code, effective at the time of such construction or alteration, during such unlawful occupation no rent shall be recoverable by the owner or lessee of such premises for such period and no action or special proceedings shall be maintained therefor.(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to buildings owned by a housing authority organized under the provisions of chapter 128, which have been constructed or altered pursuant to contracts with the federal government or the state providing for annual contributions or other financial assistance.(1949 Rev., S. 4080; 1969, P.A. 443, S. 14; 1971, P.A. 413, S. 2.)History: 1969 act referred to violations of state building code rather than of Sec. 19-370; 1971 act added Subsec. (b); Sec. 19-371 transferred to Sec. 19a-362 in 1983.Annotations to former section 19-371:Disability to recover rent not confined to the person who was owner at time of completion but applied to subsequent purchaser. 121 C. 458. Constitutional aspects considered. Id., 459. Cited. 136 C. 1:Disability to recover rent not confined to the person who was owner at time of completion but applied to subsequent purchaser. 121 C. 458. Constitutional aspects considered. Id., 459. Cited. 136 C. 276; 149 C. 740. Statute does not authorize action by tenant for recovery of rent voluntarily paid during period of violation. 150 C. 702.Statute in barring landlord from collecting rent in effect relieved tenants of obligation to pay; landlord had no cause of action to collect rent or for eviction, nor to rent premises to others in absence of certificate. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 360.
Connecticut Legal Code