CHAPTER 834
COURT PROCEEDINGS ON HOUSING MATTERS

Table of Contents

Sec. 47a-68. Definitions.
Sec. 47a-69. Appointment of housing specialists. Qualifications. Duties.
Sec. 47a-70. Housing docket. Entry and transfer of cases on docket.
Sec. 47a-71. Citizens advisory councils for housing matters.
Sec. 47a-71a. Citizens Advisory Council for Housing Matters.
Sec. 47a-72. Duties of citizens advisory council. Meetings. No compensation or reimbursement.
Sec. 47a-73. Judges and council to report to General Assembly.
Sec. 47a-74. Rules of practice to be adopted.

      Sec. 47a-68. Definitions. As used in this chapter, sections 51-51v, 51-165, 51-348 and subsection (b) of section 51-278, "housing matters" means:

      (a) Summary process;

      (b) Appeals from the decisions of a fair rent commission under sections 7-148e and 7-148f;

      (c) Actions and administrative appeals involving discrimination in the sale or rental of residential property;

      (d) All actions regarding forcible entry and detainer;

      (e) Actions under the provisions of title 47a, chapter 412 or section 47-294;

      (f) All actions involving one or more violations of any state or municipal health, housing, building, electrical, plumbing, fire or sanitation code, including violations occurring in commercial properties, or of any other statute, ordinance or regulation concerned with the health, safety or welfare of any occupant of any housing;

      (g) All actions under sections 47a-56a to 47a-59, inclusive;

      (h) All actions for back rent, damages, return of security deposits and other relief arising out of the parties' relationship as landlord and tenant or owner and occupant;

      (i) All other actions of any nature concerning the health, safety or welfare of any occupant of any place used or intended for use as a place of human habitation if any such action arises from or is related to its occupancy or right of occupancy.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 1, 13; P.A. 80-268, S. 1, 2; P.A. 81-472, S. 87, 159; P.A. 83-510, S. 5, 9; P.A. 87-439, S. 4, 6; P.A. 91-383, S. 23; P.A. 03-202, S. 16.)

      History: P.A. 80-268 deleted former Subdiv. (f) which had included "tort claims arising from premises subject to chapter 830" as housing matters, relettering remaining Subdivs. as necessary; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 83-510 made no substantive change; P.A. 87-439 amended Subdiv. (e) by adding reference to Sec. 47-294; P.A. 91-383 amended Subdiv. (e) by adding reference to chapter 412; P.A. 03-202 amended Subdiv. (f) by adding provision re inclusion of violations occurring in commercial properties and making a technical change.

      See Secs. 47a-69 to 47a-74, inclusive, re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to handle prosecutions of housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

      Cited. 214 C. 256, 261, 263.

      Cited. 1 CA 439, 447, 451.

      Cited. 36 CS 47, 50. Jurisdiction of housing session of superior court over prosecutions of state and city building code violations is beyond reproach. Id., 103, 106.

      Subdiv. (a):

      Cited. 217 C. 57, 61.

      Subdiv. (c):

      Cited. 217 C. 57, 61.

      Subdiv. (f):

      Cited. 217 C. 57, 61.

      Subdiv. (h):

      Cited. 217 C. 57, 61, 63.

      Subdiv. (i):

      Cited. 37 CS 534, 537; Id., 569, 572.

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      Sec. 47a-69. Appointment of housing specialists. Qualifications. Duties. (a) The judges of the Superior Court or an authorized committee thereof may appoint such housing specialists as they deem necessary for the purpose of assisting the court in the prompt and efficient hearing of housing matters within the limit of their appropriation therefor. Such judges or such committee shall appoint not less than two such specialists for each of the judicial districts of Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield and may designate one of them in each judicial district as chief housing specialist. Such judges or committee shall also appoint not less than three such housing specialists for all other judicial districts. The housing specialists for the judicial district of New Haven shall assist the court in the hearing of housing matters in the judicial district of Waterbury, the housing specialists for the judicial district of Hartford shall assist the court in the hearing of housing matters in the judicial district of New Britain and the housing specialists for the judicial district of Fairfield shall assist the court in the hearing of housing matters in the judicial district of Stamford-Norwalk.

      (b) Housing specialists shall be knowledgeable in the maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of dwelling units and the federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining thereto. They shall also have knowledge necessary to advise parties regarding the type of funds and services available to assist owners, landlords and tenants in the financing of resolutions to housing problems. The housing specialists shall make inspections and conduct investigations at the request of the court, shall advise parties in locating possible sources of financial assistance necessary to comply with orders of the court and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as the judge may from time to time prescribe.

      (c) Such housing specialists (1) shall be responsible for the initial screening and evaluation of all contested housing matters eligible for placement on the housing docket pursuant to section 47a-68, (2) may conduct investigations of such matters including, but not limited to, interviews with the parties, and (3) may recommend settlements.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 2, 13; P.A. 80-448, S. 1, 8; P.A. 81-419, S. 1, 11; P.A. 82-461, S. 1, 15; P.A. 87-351, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-230, S. 3, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: P.A. 80-448 specified that housing specialists are responsible for screening and evaluating "contested" housing matters and replaced detailed provisions re specialists' investigatory powers and power to bring parties to nonjudicial settlement with general duties to conduct investigations and recommend settlements; P.A. 81-419 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for the appointment of two housing specialists for the judicial district of New Haven; P.A. 82-461 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the appointment of housing specialists for the Fairfield judicial district and providing that the housing specialists for the New Haven and Fairfield judicial districts would assist in the hearing of housing matters in the Waterbury and Stamford-Norwalk judicial districts, respectively; P.A. 87-351 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the appointment of not less than three housing specialists for all other judicial districts; P.A. 88-230 amended Subsec. (a) to replace "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford" and to add provision that the housing specialists for the judicial district of Hartford shall assist the court in the hearing of housing matters in the judicial district of New Britain, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

      See Secs. 47a-68, 47a-70 to 47a-74, inclusive, re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to handle prosecutions of housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 225 C. 757, 761.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 225 C. 757, 761.

      Subsec. (c):

      Cited. 225 C. 757, 761.

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      Sec. 47a-70. Housing docket. Entry and transfer of cases on docket. (a) All proceedings involving a housing matter in the judicial district of Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Fairfield, Waterbury or Stamford-Norwalk shall first be placed on the housing docket for that district, provided that the judge before whom such proceeding is brought may transfer such matter to the regular docket for a geographical area or judicial district if he determines that such matter is not a housing matter or that such docket is more suitable for the disposition of the case. Any case so entered or transferred to either docket shall be proceeded upon as are other cases of like nature standing on such docket.

      (b) If two or more actions are pending between the same parties, including for the purposes hereof any other court proceedings arising out of or connected with the same housing accommodation, of which one or more of such actions is on the housing docket and one or more of such actions is on some other docket, the judge handling such other docket, upon motion of any party to any of such actions, may order that the action pending on such docket, with all papers relating thereto, be transferred to the housing docket; and such action or actions shall thereafter proceed as though originally entered there.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 6, 13; P.A. 81-419, S. 2; P.A. 82-461, S. 2; P.A. 88-230, S. 4, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: P.A. 81-419 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that proceedings involving a housing matter in the judicial district of New Haven be placed on the housing docket for that district; P.A. 82-461 amended Subsec. (a) by including Fairfield, Waterbury and Stamford-Norwalk as judicial districts having housing dockets; P.A. 88-230 amended Subsec. (a) to reflect the division of the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain into the separate judicial districts of Hartford and of New Britain, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

      See Secs. 47a-68, 47a-69, 47a-72 to 47a-74, inclusive, re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to prosecute housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

      Subsec. (a):

      Cited. 214 C. 256, 261, 262.

      Housing judge has the discretion to transfer to regular civil docket a summary process action which because of its complexity would formerly have been outside the ambit of summary process. 1 CA 439-442, 449-451.

      Subsec. (b):

      Cited. 217 C. 57, 63.

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      Sec. 47a-71. Citizens advisory councils for housing matters. Section 47a-71 is repealed.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 7, 13; P.A. 80-448, S. 2, 8; P.A. 81-419, S. 3, 11; P.A. 82-461, S. 3, 15; P.A. 83-497, S. 1, 6, 7.)

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      Sec. 47a-71a. Citizens Advisory Council for Housing Matters. There is hereby created a Citizens Advisory Council for Housing Matters consisting of thirty-six persons. The members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor for terms ending June 30, 1987, and thereafter the members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of four years. The council shall consist of representatives of tenants, landlords, and others concerned with housing and shall reflect a balance of the interests of tenants and landlords. The members of the advisory council shall elect their own chairman. Nine members shall be residents of the judicial districts of Hartford or New Britain; nine members shall be residents of the judicial districts of New Haven, Waterbury or Ansonia-Milford; nine members shall be residents of the judicial districts of Fairfield or Stamford-Norwalk; and nine members shall be residents of the judicial districts of Danbury, Litchfield, Middlesex, New London, Tolland or Windham. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office.

      (P.A. 83-497, S. 2; P.A. 87-249; P.A. 88-230, S. 5, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P. A. 93-142, S. 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: P.A. 87-249 increased membership from twenty-seven to thirty-six persons, established residency requirement for the nine additional members and added attendance requirement for all members; P.A. 88-230 replaced requirement that nine members be residents of "the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with requirement that they be residents of the "judicial districts of Hartford or New Britain" to reflect the division of the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain into two separate judicial districts, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

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      Sec. 47a-72. Duties of citizens advisory council. Meetings. No compensation or reimbursement. (a) The council shall from time to time view the housing docket proceedings and review the manner in which the housing docket is functioning, consult with the judges assigned to housing matters and the Chief Court Administrator and assist them in such manner as is appropriate, assist in making the public aware of the existence of the housing docket, receive comments from the general public about the handling of housing matters, and make such recommendations as it may choose. The council shall meet as a full body at least two times a year and on such additional occasions as it may require. The council may divide itself into subcommittees as it deems appropriate. The council may submit its recommendations concerning housing matters to the Chief Court Administrator, to any judge hearing housing matters and to the General Assembly. Members of the council shall receive no compensation and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 4-1, shall not receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

      (b) The council may recommend to the Governor and to the Chief Court Administrator the names of persons it believes to be suitable for appointment or assignment to hear housing matters in any judicial district for which a special housing session has been established, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 47a-70.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 8, 13; P.A. 81-419, S. 4, 11; P.A. 83-497, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 81-419 deleted a reference to the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain, changed "the" council to "each" council and made certain other changes to reflect the creation of an additional council pursuant to Sec. 47a-71; P.A. 83-497 amended section to reflect establishment of single council pursuant to Sec. 47a-71a in place of the former three separate councils, required the council to meet as a full body at least two times a year and authorized the council to divide itself into subcommittees and to submit its recommendations to the general assembly.

      See Secs. 47a-68 to 47a-70, inclusive, 47a-73, 47a-74 re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to prosecute housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

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      Sec. 47a-73. Judges and council to report to General Assembly. The judges hearing housing matters and the Citizens Advisory Council shall each make a report with respect to the operation of the special docket for housing matters and their respective recommendations to the General Assembly at the opening of its regular sessions in the odd-numbered years. Such reports may also include recommendations for legislation with respect to housing matters.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 9, 13; P.A. 80-448, S. 3, 8; P.A. 81-419, S. 5; P.A. 82-461, S. 4; P.A. 83-497, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 80-448 substituted "reports" for "report" and changed report deadline from February, 1980, to January, 1981; P.A. 81-419 deleted a specific reference to the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain, referring instead to housing dockets and advisory councils for judicial districts in general, deleted a requirement that the reports contain recommendations concerning the hearing of housing matters in other judicial districts, and replaced the requirement that reports be made by January, 1981 with a new reporting date of January, 1983; P.A. 82-461 required the judge and citizens advisory council for the Fairfield judicial district to make their reports in January, 1984; P.A. 83-497 amended section to reflect establishment of single advisory council pursuant to Sec. 47a-71a in place of the former three separate councils.

      See Secs. 47a-68 to 47a-72, inclusive, 47a-74 re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to prosecute housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

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      Sec. 47a-74. Rules of practice to be adopted. The judges of the Superior Court may adopt such rules of practice and procedure not inconsistent with the general statutes to implement the provisions of this chapter and section 51-51v, 51-165, 51-348 and subsection (b) of section 51-278.

      (P.A. 78-365, S. 11, 13; P.A. 81-472, S. 88, 159.)

      History: P.A. 81-472 made technical changes.

      See Secs. 47a-68 to 47a-73, inclusive, re court proceedings on housing matters generally.

      See Sec. 51-51v re appointment of clerks for housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-165 re assignment of judges to hear housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-278(b) re designation of assistant or deputy assistant state's attorneys to prosecute housing matters.

      See Sec. 51-348 re separate docket for housing matters.

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