Lapse Of Time- Q & A

What is Lapse of Time?

LAPSE OF TIME IS A NECESSARY RIGHT THAT HOUSING PROVIDERS USE WHEN A RESIDENT IS RESIDING IN AN APARTMENT HOME AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE LEASE. IT’S USED IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THERE ARE NO OTHER OPTIONS. IN MOST CASES, THE SAFETY & WELL BEING OF OTHER RESIDENTS IS AT STAKE OR UNSANITARY LIVING CONDITIONS ARE BEING KEPT.

When is Lapse of Time of Concern?

LAPSE OF TIME IS NOT AN EVICTION, LAPSE OF TIME IS WHEN A LEASE CONTRACT ENDS AND ONE PARTY CHOOSES TO NOT RENEW. IT IS SIMILAR TO IF A RESIDENT PROVIDES A NOTICE TO VACATE OR A NOTICE TO NON-RENEW THE LEASE CONTRACT. BOTH PARTIES HAVE THE OPTION TO RENEW A LEASE AT THE END, AS WITH ANY CONTRACT. A SOLID LEASE WILL HAVE THE LENGTH OF TIME A HOUSING PROVIDER HAS TO INFORM THE RESIDENT THAT THEY ARE CHOOSING TO NOT RENEW, AS IT WILL HAVE THE LENGTH OF TIME A RESIDENT HAS TO GIVE NOTICE. 

Why is Lapse of Time Used?

  • SAFETY CONCERNS FOR SURROUNDING RESIDENTS AND STAFF. 
  • PEST CONCERNS THAT ARE AFFECTING OTHER APARTMENTS.
  • PROPERTY DAMAGE OR MAJOR HOUSEKEEPING CONCERNS.
  • TO ENSURE OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS ARE MAINTAINED. 
  • TO MAKE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT, ENERGY UPGRADES, AND REHABS OF CONDITIONS THAT ARE UNSAFE FOR RESIDENTS.

How Often is Lapse of Time Used?

LAPSE OF TIME IS USED ONLY AT THE END OF THE LEASE WHEN THE HOUSING PROVIDER HAS INFORMED THE RESIDENT THAT THEY ARE NOT PLANNING TO RENEW THE LEASE CONTRACT. IN SOME CASES, THE RESIDENT HAS NOT VACATED THE APARTMENT AFTER THE CONTRACT HAS ENDED WHICH WILL TURN INTO AN EVICTION PROCESS. MEANING A PERSON IS IN A LOCATION OWNED BY ANOTHER PARTY AFTER A CONTRACT HAS ENDED. THIS ACCOUNTS FOR AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN 12% OF EVICTIONS IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IN 2023.

Who Does Lapse of Time Effect?

LAPSE OF TIME WILL EFFECT RESIDENTS, THAT IS NOT TO BE DENIED. IF TAKEN AWAY, HOWEVER, IT WILL EFFECT MORE RESIDENTS AND THEIR ACCESS TO SAFE AND WELL MAINTAINED HOUSING. HOSING PROVIDERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY WHICH MAY INCLUDE REMOVING THOSE WHO ARE NOT ALLOWING REPAIRS OR CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS FOR OTHER RESIDENTS. 

Where Can You Help Educate About Lapse of Time?

  • FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR HERE AND SEND THEM AN E-MAIL OR GIVE THEM A PHONE CALL. 
  • EMAIL JESSICA AT CTAA TO TELL HER YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION AND TO BE INVOLVED WITH ADVOCACY.
  • JOIN US WHEN WE VISIT THE CAPITOL, ALL OF OUR EVENTS ARE LISTED ON THE EVENTS PAGE. 
  • CREATE TESTIMONY TO USE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS. 
  • TELL US YOUR STORY ON WHEN YOU USED LAPSE OF TIME AS A HOUSING PROVIDER OR WHEN YOU, AS A RESIDENT, BENEFITED FROM YOUR HOUSING PROVIDER NOT RENEWING A LEASE OF A NEIGHBOR. 
  • USE THESE PRINT-OUTS WHEN MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS.