Connecticut House Bill HB05067

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/15
• Refer: 1/7/15

Caption

An Act Concerning A Condominium Unit Owner's Liability For Property Damage To A Condominium Unit That Is Caused By Such Owner's Negligence.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5067 would bring significant changes to the way property damage liabilities are handled within condominium associations. By enforcing personal liability on individual owners, the bill is expected to encourage residents to exercise greater care in the maintenance of their units, thereby protecting both individual properties and shared facilities from potential neglect or harm. Such accountability could also potentially lead to lower insurance costs for homeowner associations, as risks associated with negligent damage could be minimized.

Summary

House Bill 5067 aims to establish clear accountability for property damage in condominium settings. The bill specifically seeks to amend section 47-255 of the general statutes to include provisions that hold condominium unit owners personally liable for damages caused by their own negligence. This legislation is aimed at ensuring that owners take responsibility for their actions and the potential harm to their properties and communal areas due to careless behavior.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 5067 might include various viewpoints on the fairness of imposing personal liability on condominium owners. Proponents argue that this bill is necessary for promoting responsible ownership and protecting the interests of all residents in condominium communities. However, there may be concerns from critics who believe that imposing such strict liability could unduly penalize owners for accidents that may not reflect their typical standards of care. Issues of determining negligence versus accidents could also lead to debates about the importance of intent in property damage cases.