(a) The enforcing agency may bring an action in the Superior Court for the recovery of civil penalties, together with costs and disbursements.
(b) It shall be a complete defense to any action brought pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, that: (1) The violation giving rise to the action was caused by the wilful act or gross negligence of a person other than the defendant; or (2) the defendant began to correct the violation promptly upon receipt of notice thereof, but that its full correction could not be completed within the time provided because of technical difficulties, inability to obtain necessary materials or labor or inability to gain access to the dwelling unit wherein the violation occurs.
(P.A. 74-345, S. 3; P.A. 76-436, S. 596, 681.)
History: P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1978; Sec. 19-347t transferred to Sec. 47a-59 in 1981.
Cited. 13 CA 1.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 47a - Landlord and Tenant
Section 47a-50. - Definitions.
Section 47a-51. (Formerly Sec. 19-343). - Sanitary regulations.
Section 47a-54a. (Formerly Sec. 19-346). - Overcrowding in tenement and lodging houses.
Section 47a-54b. - Water in tenement and lodging houses.
Section 47a-54c. - Toilets and bathrooms.
Section 47a-54d. - Public halls.
Section 47a-55. (Formerly Sec. 19-347). - Enforcement. Penalties.
Section 47a-56a. (Formerly Sec. 19-347b). - Appointment of receiver of rents: Application.
Section 47a-56b. - Appointment of receiver of rents: Service.
Section 47a-56c. - Appointment of receiver of rents: Determination by court.
Section 47a-56d. (Formerly Sec. 19-347c). - Receiver: Bond required. Powers and duties.
Section 47a-56e. (Formerly Sec. 19-347d). - Liability of owner.
Section 47a-56g. (Formerly Sec. 19-347f). - Discharge of receiver.
Section 47a-59. (Formerly Sec. 19-347t). - Enforcement actions. Defenses.
Section 47a-60. (Formerly Sec. 19-347u). - Stay of penalty. Violation contested by owner.
Section 47a-61. (Formerly Sec. 19-347v). - Precedence in trial order.