Fair Rent Commissions become the Law as Evictions Rise

The housing crisis for Connecticut's families has escalated as COVID-19 relief programs run out and mega landlords grab more properties and raise rents for higher profits.

In March 2022, landlords filed 2,495 new eviction cases, the highest number filed in any month since the Judicial Branch began keeping records in 2017, according to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

Over the last three years, Connecticut has seen wild rent increases – regular people are struggling to get by and evictions are on the rise. Landlords want 12.9% more in New London County. In the city of New London, 60% of households are renters. In other Connecticut counties, the story is the same – landlords want anywhere between 8.2% more in Windham and 13% more in Middlesex.

To address soaring rents that are pushing families out of their homes, a new law in Connecticut requires towns with more than 25,000 people to have Fair Rent Commissions where renters can challenge a rent increase and demand landlords treat them fairly. By July 1, 2023, the number of Fair Rent Commissions will automatically expand to cover large cities and towns in eastern Connecticut like New London, Norwich, and Mansfield.

Fair Rent Commissions give people the power to challenge their landlords and demand fair rent and the elimination of excessive rent charges. This means, for the first time ever, people facing rent increases in many communities will be able to hold their landlords to account in public.

As municipalities begin the process of setting up Fair Rent Commissions it is important for renters to take part in the process, to make sure renters – and not just landlords – are represented on the Commission. Those affected should be the ones conducting hearings to determine what is or is not fair for their community.

Individuals can ask their municipal government if they have a Fair Rent Commission and if not help set one up.

Another protection for renters that became law last year is the right to counsel in housing court. In some towns renters are organizing tenant unions for a stronger voice for repairs and security.