Fair Rent Commission

 

Under Connecticut law, a Fair Rent Commission has the authority to receive and investigate rent complaints, issue subpoenas, hold hearings, and order landlords to reduce rents for specific reasons.

When a commission finds that rental housing does not meet the local or state health or safety requirements for housing, the commission may suspend rent payments until the housing is brought into compliance. Also, a commission may order a landlord to stop any retaliation against a tenant who makes a complaint to the commission.

DETERMINING EXCESSIVE RENT

Fair Rent Commissions must consider a number of factors when determining whether a rental charge is excessive to the point of being “harsh and unconscionable.” The factors include:

  • rents for comparable units;
  • amount and frequency of rent increases;
  • sanitary conditions;
  • number of bathtubs or showers, toilets, and sinks;
  • services, furniture, and furnishings;
  • bedroom size and number;
  • repairs necessary to make the accommodations livable;
  • amount of taxes and overhead expenses, including debt service;
  • compliance with state and local health and safety laws and regulations;
  • renter’s income and housing availability;
  • utility availability;
  • tenant damage to the premises, other than ordinary wear; and
  • the degree to which income from the rent increase will be reinvested in property improvements.

WHAT CAN A COMMISSION DO?

  • After holding a hearing on a complaint, a commission can determine that a rent increase is excessive and order “rent be limited to such an amount as it determines to be fair and equitable.”
  • If the housing in question fails to meet local or state health and safety requirements, then the commission can order the suspension of rent payments until the unit meets standards. During the time the rent is not paid to the landlord, it is paid to the commission to hold in escrow and is subject to any provisions adopted by the municipality.
  • If the commission determines, after holding a hearing, that a landlord has retaliated in any way against a tenant who has complained to it, the commission can order the landlord to cease the retaliation.

To download a copy of the Fair Rent Commission Complaint Form, please direct your browser to the City Clerk's Documents and Forms web page.

Meriden Fair Rent Commission

Madeline Gallagher (D) - Chairperson
247 Natchaug Drive
Exp. 1/31/2026

Victor Matias (D) Landlord
41 Susan Lane
Exp. 1/31/2027

Michael Rider (D) Tenant 
41 Water Street
Exp. 1/31/2026

Joshua Broekstra (R)
1396 North Colony Rd, Unit 3A
Exp. 1/31/2027

Juan Montalvo (R) 
234 Sherman Avenue, Unit 27D
Exp. 1/31/2026

David Crain (D) Alternate
562 Baldwin Avenue, Unit 13
Exp. 1/31/2025

Shari Gill DiDomenico (R) Alternate
60 Edgemark Acres
Exp. 1/31/2025