Sec. 42-240. Definitions.

As used in sections 42-240 to 42-253, inclusive:

(1) “Advertisement” means any oral, written or graphic statement or representation made in connection with the solicitation of business in any manner by a lessor and includes, but is not limited to, statements and representations made in any newspaper or other publication, or on radio or television or printed in any catalog, circular or any other sales literature or brochure.

(2) “Cash price” means the price at which a lessor in the ordinary course of business would in good faith offer the property that is the subject of a rent-to-own agreement to the lessee for cash on the date of the rent-to-own agreement.

(3) “Consummation” means the time a lessee becomes contractually obligated on a consumer rent-to-own agreement.

(4) “Rent-to-own agreement” means an agreement for the use of personal property by an individual primarily for personal, family or household purposes, for an initial period of four months or less, whether or not there is any obligation beyond the initial period, that is automatically renewable with each payment and that permits the consumer to become the owner of the property. Any rent-to-own agreement which complies with sections 42-240 to 42-253, inclusive, shall not be construed to be, or be governed by the laws of this state regulating, any of the following:

(A) A retail installment contract, as defined in section 36a-770;

(B) A security interest, as defined in subdivision (35) of subsection (b) of section 42a-1-201.

(5) “Lessee” means a natural person who rents personal property under a consumer rent-to-own agreement.

(6) “Lessor” means a person who regularly provides the use of property through consumer rent-to-own agreements and to whom the obligation is initially payable on its face.

(7) “Personal property” means any property that is not real property under the laws of the state where it is located when it is made available for a consumer rent-to-own agreement.

(P.A. 91-162, S. 1, 18; P.A. 05-109, S. 51; 05-288, S. 147.)

History: P.A. 05-109 amended Subdiv. (4)(B) by replacing reference to Sec. 42a-1-201(37) with reference to Sec. 42a-1-201(b)(35); P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subdiv. (4), effective July 13, 2005.