A fair rent commission is a municipal board that has the power to prevent rental charges in residential housing that are “so excessive, with due regard to all the circumstances, as to be harsh and unconscionable.” The commission can hold hearings and make decisions in response to tenant complaints, and can order landlords to reduce rents for specific reasons.
How many fair rent commissions are there in Connecticut?
The 2022 CT Legislature mandated every city with a population over 25,000 residents create a Fair Rent Commission but individual cities have had the right to establish them for many years and several towns already have them in place.
What can a fair rent commission do?
A fair rent commission can do the following:
- Receive and investigate rent increase complaints
- Issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses
- Hold hearings and make decisions
- Order landlords to reduce rents
- Require housing code inspections
- Suspend rent payments until housing code violations are fixed
- Order landlords to pay tenants for retaliatory acts
How do I file a complaint with a fair rent commission?
To file a complaint with a fair rent commission, you will need to contact the commission in your town or city. You can find contact information for the fair rent commissions on the Connecticut Department of Housing website.
What is the fair rent process?
The fair rent process begins with you filing a complaint with the commission. The commission will then investigate your complaint and may hold a hearing. If the commission finds that your rent is excessive, it can order the landlord to reduce your rent.
How will fair rent commissions affect landlords?
Fair rent commissions can affect landlords in a number of ways, including:
- Limiting their ability to raise rents. Fair rent commissions can order landlords to reduce rents that they believe are excessive. This can limit landlords’ ability to raise rents in response to rising costs, such as property taxes or insurance premiums.
- Increasing the cost of doing business. Landlords may need to hire lawyers or other professionals to help them navigate the fair rent process. This can increase the cost of doing business for landlords.
- Creating uncertainty. The existence of fair rent commissions can create uncertainty for landlords about how much rent they can charge. This can make it difficult for landlords to plan for the future.
However, it is important to note that fair rent commissions are not designed to be punitive to landlords. They are simply intended to protect tenants from excessive rent increases. In most cases, landlords will be able to raise rents as long as they can justify the increase.
Here are some tips for landlords who are concerned about the impact of fair rent commissions:
- Stay informed about the laws in your town or city. Make sure you understand the rules and regulations that govern fair rent commissions in your area.
- Be transparent with your tenants about your rent increases. Explain why you are raising rents and be willing to negotiate with tenants if they are concerned.
- Hire a lawyer if you have any questions or concerns. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations under the law.
Understand the “Fair Market Rent” for your area as HUD publishes these numbers annually and keep your rent inline with their rates
Overall, fair rent commissions can have a significant impact on landlords. However, by staying informed and being transparent with tenants, landlords can minimize the impact of these commissions on their businesses.
Important note: As of July 1, 2023, all towns in Connecticut with a population of 25,000 or more are required to have a fair rent commission. However, as of this writing (8/2/23), not all towns have yet implemented a fair rent commission.
