OLR Bill Analysis

HB 5494

AN ACT CONCERNING THE REMOVAL OF THE POSSESSIONS OF DECEASED TENANTS.

SUMMARY:

This bill changes how landlords must dispose of a deceased tenant's possessions if the tenant's next of kin fails to reclaim them.

The law establishes a process landlords may use instead of an eviction action to regain possession of a dwelling unit after the death of the only tenant living there. Under the process, the landlord must take certain steps to (1) notify the tenant's next of kin, (2) file an affidavit in probate court regarding the deceased tenant and his or her personal belongings, (3) inventory the belongings, and (4) dispose of them if the next of kin fails to reclaim them within 60 days of the landlord's filing the affidavit. Currently, the landlord must dispose of the belongings by having a state marshal deliver them to a town-designated storage facility for sale at public auction. The bill instead allows landlords to dispose of the belongings by sale, auction, or any other manner, and keep the proceeds.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2012

COMMITTEE ACTION

Planning and Development Committee

Joint Favorable