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State lawmakers hear hours of public comment on eviction protections bill

There was a lot of emotion from those in support and against the proposal Tuesday, as lawmakers went back and forth for hours

HARTFORD, Conn. — Tuesday was a busy day at the State Capitol, as lawmakers heard hundreds of public comments about a new measure to expand eviction protections to all renters in Connecticut.

“Homelessness in this state is growing rapidly,” said Hannah Srajer, president of the Connecticut Tenants Union, testifying at the Housing Committee’s public hearing.

There was a lot of emotion from those in support and against the proposal Tuesday, as lawmakers went back and forth for hours with those giving public comments about the bill to prohibit no-fault evictions.

“I know it doesn't matter how well I've taken care of the place, or how much rent I've paid over the years, I can lose the home I love on a whim,” Srajer said.

Connecticut’s eviction rate has risen 8% overall, with no-fault evictions up 22%.

Right now, only those 62 and older and people with a disability are protected from ‘no-fault evictions.’

“It's about leveling the playing field and the power dynamic,” Srajer added. “The people who rent apartments in this state work hard too.”

Tuesday’s public hearing caused some pushback and heated debate.

“The landlords I know, we're not going to kick people out that are good tenants, that take care of the property and pay the rent,” said state Sen. Rob Sampson, ranking member on the Housing Committee. “That's why they're in business.”

“So then, that sounds like you do support just cause then,” Srajer responded.

“Well, I don't support the government interjecting itself into common sense, which is a landlord is in business to make money,” continued Sampson. “So a tenant that is reliable, that pays their bills, that keeps the property clean, why would they be evicting them?”

“I think again, I think we're more in agreement than you might think,” Srajer added.

Some local landlords also voiced their concerns with the bill Tuesday.

“Cause evictions are difficult to prove,” testified Lauren Tagliatela, who works at Franklin Communities. “I cannot bring smoke into a courtroom. I cannot bring noise into a courtroom and other residents are afraid to testify against their neighbors.”

Tagliatela owns and manages more than 1,200 apartment homes in the greater New Haven area. She says no-cause evictions are an important, last-resort tool for landlords.

“When one resident’s quality of life is harmed by another resident who violates the lease, no housing provider should be left powerless to help,” she said.

RELATED: Hartford tenants call for accountability over deplorable living conditions

RELATED: 'If you do not shape up it’s time to ship out': Hartford task force to identify non-compliant landlords

Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on FacebookX and Instagram.

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