Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-182

Powers of the commission

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Verified 11/11/2026 · Next check 12/11/2026
BristolRent Regulation

Operative Text

Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-182
(a) The commission's powers shall include the power to:
(1) Receive complaints, inquiries, and other communications concerning alleged excessive rental charges and alleged violations, including retaliation, of G.S. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f, inclusive, G.S. §§ 47a-20, 21-80a, and 47a-23c in housing accommodations, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal basis, within its jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall include mobile manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home park lots;
(2) Make such studies and investigations regarding rental housing within the City of Bristol as are appropriate to carry out the duties and responsibilities delegated hereunder, and subject to the terms, limitations and conditions set forth herein;
(3) Conduct hearings on complaints or requests for investigation submitted to it by any person, subject to the terms, limitations and conditions as set forth herein;
(4) Compel the attendance of persons at hearings, issue subpoenas and administer oaths, issue orders and continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend any of its orders and decisions;
(5) Determine, after a hearing as set forth herein, whether or not the rent for any housing accommodation is so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable;
(6) Determine, after a hearing as set forth herein, whether the housing accommodation in question fails to comply with any municipal ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety;
(7) Determine, after a hearing as set forth herein, whether a landlord has engaged in retaliation in violation of section 12-186 below, and make such orders as are authorized herein;
(8) Order a reduction of any excessive rent to an amount which is fair and equitable, and make such other orders as are authorized herein;
(9) Order the suspension or reduction of further payment of rent by the tenant until such time as the landlord makes the necessary changes, repairs or installations so as to bring such housing accommodation into compliance with any municipal ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety;
(10) Establish an escrow account with a local bank or financial institution into which it shall deposit all rent charges or other funds paid to it pursuant to section 12-185 herein; and
(11) Carry out all other provisions of G.S. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f, inclusive, G.S. §§ 47a-20, 21-80a, and 47a-23c as now existing and as hereinafter amended, as they apply to fair rent commissions.
(b) The commission may adopt rules for the transaction of business subject to the approval of the city council.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-182 establishes the scope of authority held by Bristol's Fair Rent Commission. The Commission is empowered to receive complaints about excessive rents and landlord retaliation, conduct formal hearings, compel witness attendance, and issue binding orders — including rent reductions or rent suspensions paid into escrow. It may also investigate whether housing accommodations meet health and safety standards under applicable municipal ordinances and state statutes, and its jurisdiction extends to mobile manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home park lots, but not seasonally rented accommodations.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 11, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-182, property owners operating within Bristol's jurisdiction should be aware that the Fair Rent Commission holds broad investigative and adjudicative authority over their rental practices. Compliant operators generally maintain rents at levels that can be justified as fair and equitable, keep their units in compliance with health and safety codes, and avoid any conduct that could constitute retaliation under the referenced state statutes. Landlords subject to a Commission hearing should understand that the body has the power to subpoena witnesses, issue orders, and direct rent payments into escrow pending resolution of compliance issues.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-182 gives tenants in Bristol a formal avenue to challenge rent they believe is excessive or to report landlord retaliation and health-and-safety violations. Tenants may submit a complaint or request for investigation directly to the Fair Rent Commission, which can then hold a hearing, order a rent reduction, or suspend further rent payments into an escrow account until violations are corrected. Tenants seeking to understand how to use these rights may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or reviewing the Commission's own procedural rules, which are subject to city council approval under this same provision.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

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