Local landlord and tenant rules in West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut has local rules on rent regulation (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f (2026 Supp., as amended by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1); West Haven Code ch. 97) and rental registration (West Haven Code ch. 156 (Nonresident Landlord Registration); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6a), on top of Connecticut law.
Local rules in West Haven, Connecticut
Rent regulation
West Haven has a fair rent commission. A tenant may ask it whether a rent, a proposed increase or a fee added to the rent is harsh and unconscionable; it can hold the rent to a fair amount, phase an increase in, suspend rent until health and safety violations are repaired, and order a landlord to stop retaliating against a tenant who complained.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f (2026 Supp., as amended by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1); West Haven Code ch. 97. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Rental registration
West Haven requires every owner who does not live at a rental property — or, for a company or trust, its agent in charge — to register it with the city’s Nonresident Landlord Registration Program and keep the contact information current.
Source: West Haven Code ch. 156 (Nonresident Landlord Registration); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6a (read the source). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Connecticut rules that apply in West Haven
| Rule | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut? | 21 days |
| How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut? | 2 months of rent |
| Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Connecticut? | Interest at the Banking Commissioner's published rate, paid annually. |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Connecticut? | 45 days |
| How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Connecticut? | 3 days (notice to vacate) |
| How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Connecticut? | Lesser of $5 a day (up to $50) or 5% of the late rent |
| Is there a grace period for paying rent in Connecticut? | 9 days |
| How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Connecticut? | $50 (inflation-adjusted) for a screening report; no application fee |
Every Connecticut rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in West Haven
49.4% of the occupied homes in West Haven are rented, about 10,348 households, a share higher than across Connecticut (33.5%).
The median gross rent is $1,442 a month, lower than across Connecticut ($1,488); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
53.4% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
80.2% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| West Haven | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 49.4% (±2.8 points) | 39.5% | 33.5% |
| Median gross rent | $1,442 (±$43) | $1,525 | $1,488 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 53.4% (±6.0 points) | 53.5% | 52.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $51,638 (±$4,622) | $50,418 | $52,072 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 80.2% (±5.6 points) | 70.4% | 67.3% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 27.0% (±2.6 points) | 21.7% | 18.6% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 26.7% (±3.0 points) | 23.0% | 21.8% |
All housing figures for West Haven: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — undefined. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Questions about West Haven’s local rules
Does West Haven have rent control?
West Haven has a fair rent commission. A tenant may ask it whether a rent, a proposed increase or a fee added to the rent is harsh and unconscionable; it can hold the rent to a fair amount, phase an increase in, suspend rent until health and safety violations are repaired, and order a landlord to stop retaliating against a tenant who complained. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f (2026 Supp., as amended by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1); West Haven Code ch. 97)
Do landlords have to register rentals in West Haven?
West Haven requires every owner who does not live at a rental property — or, for a company or trust, its agent in charge — to register it with the city’s Nonresident Landlord Registration Program and keep the contact information current. (West Haven Code ch. 156 (Nonresident Landlord Registration); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6a)
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.