Stratford, CT Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 68° F. at three feet above floor level (§ 120-28E)
- Window area
- At least 1/8 of each habitable room's floor area
- Floor space
- 150 square feet first occupant, 100 per added occupant
- Hot water
- Water heater capable of not less than 120° F.
- Fine
- Not more than $100 under § 120-16
- Hearing
- Written petition within 10 days of notice (§ 120-31)
Summary
In the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, nobody can occupy a dwelling unit, or let it to another, unless it meets the minimums in Chapter 120, Article III of the Town Code. Section 120-28 sets window area at 1/8 of each habitable room's floor area and requires heating that reaches 68° F. three feet above the floor. The Director of Health enforces.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Window area per room. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be at least 1/8 of the floor area of such room. ... E. Heating facilities. Every dwelling shall have, or every dwelling unit shall have provisions made for the installation of, heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closets in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least 68° F. at a distance of three feet above floor level.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 120 of the Stratford Code, adopted by the Town Council, is the Town's habitability standard for dwellings, and Article III (Sections 120-20 through 120-31) puts duties on owners, operators and occupants. Section 120-28 covers light, ventilation and heat. Every habitable room needs a window or skylight facing directly outdoors, with total window area measured between stops of at least 1/8 of the room's floor area. A room whose only window is a skylight needs skylight area of at least 15% of its floor area, and openable window area must equal at least 45% of the required minimum. Where power lines run within 300 feet, each habitable room needs two outlets, or one outlet and a ceiling light fixture. Heating must reach at least 68° F. at three feet above floor level. Doors and ventilation windows get screens whenever the Director of Health deems insect protection necessary.
Section 120-26 sets space limits: 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for every added occupant, sleeping rooms of at least 70 square feet for one occupant or 50 square feet per occupant when shared, and no cellar space used as a habitable room. Section 120-27 requires a kitchen sink, a flush toilet, a bathtub or shower, hot and cold water lines, rubbish and garbage facilities, safe exits, and a water heater able to deliver water at not less than 120° F. Section 120-29 requires weathertight, rodentproof walls, roofs, windows and doors, safe stairs and porches, and sound plumbing. It bars any owner, operator or occupant from shutting off a required utility, and bars an owner from letting a vacant unit that is not clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy. Section 120-24 makes the owner responsible for extermination when two or more units are infested, or when the owner failed to keep the building ratproof or reasonably insectproof. Chapter 123 separately adopts the BOCA Basic Housing Code, 1964 Edition, as the Town Housing Code.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 120 draws a fine of not more than $100 under Section 120-16 unless the chapter provides otherwise. Housing Code violations under Section 123-3 carry a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, and each day of noncompliance is a separate violation. A dwelling with a serious hazard to health or safety is condemned and placarded by the Director of Health under Section 120-30, and the placard stays until written approval is given.
Frequently Asked Questions
How warm does a rental unit have to be in Stratford?
How much floor space must each tenant have?
Who pays for pest extermination in a Stratford rental?
Can a Stratford landlord shut off heat or water to an occupied unit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stratford
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