May 22, 2015
Under legislation introduced by Rep. Mike D'Agostino and championed by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey certain properties owned by tax-exempt private colleges and hospitals can be included in a town’s tax roll under legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
Under the bill (HB 6965), residential properties owned by a private tax-exempt college and used for student housing, will be part of a host town’s grand list. This will apply to housing that has up to 20 dwelling units. In addition, commercial real estate presently taxable and then subsequently bought by a private tax-exempt hospital will continue to be subject to property taxes levied by the town where it is located.
"This is landmark legislation that requires Quinnipiac University and other private colleges to pay property taxes on residential property that they own," said Rep. Mike D'Agostino (D-Hamden), who brought out the bill on the House floor for debate. "It is only fair to every property owner in Hamden or elsewhere that non-profits like Quinnipiac pay their fair share of property taxes for police, fire, and other municipal services. I am pleased the House has approved our bill and look forward to passage in the state Senate."