Bridgeport, Conn., Mun. Code ch. 2.94 § 2.94.070

Pursuant to Sections 7-148b through 7-148-e, Connecticut General Statutes, the commission shall have the following powers: A.
To make such studies and investigations into rentals charged for housing accommodations within the city as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter;
B. To receive complaints, inquiries and other communications concerning alleged excessive rental charges in housing accommodations within the city;
C. To conduct hearings on complaints or requests for investigations submitted to it by any tenant or any landlord. One week notice by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid shall be given to the parties involved in such complaint. If any notice is returned without having been delivered, the commission may arrange for service by a deputy sheriff, constable of the city or indifferent person in the same manner as is provided in the General Statutes of the state for services of process in a civil action;
D. To request the assistance of any department of the city government, including any available records, information or expert witness which the department may have in its employ;
E. To hire or retain any expert real estate appraisers or other competent experts to advise it;
F. To administer oaths;
G. To subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance at said hearings and to compel the production of any books or documents relating to any matter before the commission;
H. To determine, after a hearing, whether the rent for any housing accommodation is so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable;
I. To order a reduction of any excessive rent which is deemed to be harsh and unconscionable (as determined according to standards described in Section 2.94.080 ) to an amount the commission considers fair and equitable. However, the commission shall not have the power to waive any rent which has become due prior to the filing date of the complaint. In its discretion the commission may make the order retroactive to the date of the tenant's complaint. Such order shall be in effect for a period of one year from its effective date, except if the commission shall, pursuant to a subsequent petition by the landlord or tenant at any time, order that the rent be changed;
J. To dismiss a complaint;
K. To continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend all its orders and decisions;
L. 1. If the commission determines after a hearing that a housing accommodation fails to comply with the city's housing code laws or any state or city statute or regulation relating to health and safety, the commission may order the tenant to pay the fair and equitable rent, as determined by the commission, to the commission.
2. The commission shall hold such rent in an escrow account, as provided in this chapter, until the landlord makes such repairs as are required to bring the housing accommodation into compliance with such laws, statutes or regulations.
3. If the landlord shall have corrected such violations after the order reducing the rent, and if the rent had been reduced solely because of such violations, the landlord may petition the commission for the reinstatement of the original rent and for the payment to him/her of the rent held in the escrow account.
4. If the landlord shall have corrected such violations after the order for reducing the rent, but the rent had not been reduced solely because of such violations, the landlord may petition the commission for an order fixing a fair and equitable rent for such housing accommodation in light of its condition at the time of the landlord's petition, and for the payment to him of the rent held in the escrow account.
5. In any case arising under this subsection, upon reasonable determination of the commission, the original rent or such fair and equitable rent as determined by the commission, may be ordered into effect retroactive at the discretion of the commission, to the date of the petition for reinstatement. No such reinstate shall be effective until after a hearing is held by the commission in accordance with the provisions of subsection C of this section;
M. To deposit into the escrow account rent paid to the commission by tenants when their landlord refuses to accept it or the landlord requests in writing that the commission hold the rent until the complaint or claim can be resolved either through mediation or hearing;
N. To establish an escrow account with a local bank or financial institution into which it shall deposit all rents or other funds paid to it pursuant to subsections L, M and N of this section. If rent is deposited into the escrow account pursuant to subsection L, such funds shall be released to the landlord if: (1) he shall be successful in an appeal to the court or (2) if the commission shall order such release after petition in accordance with subsection L of this section. If rent is deposited into the escrow account pursuant to subsection M or N of this section, such funds shall be withdrawn from the escrow account and paid to the landlord upon written request from the landlord;
O. Interest earned on said escrow account shall be awarded to the landlord;
P. To require the city attorney to institute, and the city attorney shall then institute, an action in any court of equity for either a temporary or final injunction, restraining violation of or directing compliance with any order made pursuant to any provision of this chapter. Such direction to the city attorney shall be written by the chairman of the commission or by his designee upon the majority vote of the commission;
Q. Attempt through its director, through the process of conciliation and negotiation between a tenant and a landlord, to arrive at a rental agreement which is mutually acceptable to said tenant and landlord before initiating the formal hearing process.