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Connecticut hearing features stark split on 'just cause' eviction bill as tenants recount harassment and landlords warn of lost tools
Summary
A long House hearing on HB 6889 drew hours of testimony: tenant leaders and legal advocates urged expanded just-cause eviction protections to curb retaliatory nonrenewals and mass displacement, while landlord groups and some landlords warned the change would remove needed tools to address nuisance occupants and discourage housing investment.
Connecticut legislators heard nearly a day and night of testimony on HB 6889, a bill that would expand so-called ‘‘just cause’’ eviction protections to more tenants across the state. Tenants, tenant organizers and lawyers described nonrenewal and lapses-of-time as tools landlords use to displace residents without proving lease violations; landlord groups and property owners said the bill would remove essential, fast remedies for dangerous or unauthorized occupants.
Attorney Chessen, who represents landlords, told the committee the ‘‘number 1 reason’’ landlords use lapse-of-time nonrenewals is the cost and difficulty of proving lease-violation or nuisance cases in housing court, especially when neighbors are too fearful to testify. "The cost and difficulty of a successful trial on a lease violation, lapse of time or serious nuisance case isn't justified," Chessen said during questions from committee members.
Tenants and organizers offered contrasting accounts. Greta Blau, vice president of the Hamden Tenant Union, testified she had survived an…
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