Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-184

(a) Complaint forms may be obtained from the town clerk. Completed complaint forms shall be filed with the town clerk. Upon receipt of a complaint, the town clerk shall forward the complaint by electronic mail to the [commission] members and alternates.
(b) Upon the filing of a complaint, the commission shall promptly notify all parties in writing of the receipt of the complaint. Such notice shall also inform the parties that the landlord is prohibited from retaliating against the tenant due to the filing of the complaint. It shall also inform the parties that, until a decision on the complaint is made by the commission, the tenant's liability shall be for the amount of the last rent prior to the increase complained of or, if there is no such increase, the last agreed-upon rent, and that an eviction based upon non-payment of rent cannot be initiated against a tenant who continues to pay the last agreed-upon rent during the pendency of the fair rent commission proceeding.
(c) If a complaint alleges housing conditions that violate a housing, health, building or other code or statute, the commission shall notify the appropriate municipal office or agency, which may then concurrently exercise its own powers. In addition, the commission may request that the appropriate municipal official or agency promptly investigate and provide a report to the commission.
(d) Members and alternates may conduct an inspection of the rental unit.
(e) If two (2) or more complaints are filed against the same landlord by tenants occupying different rental units in the same building, complex, or mobile home park that appear to raise the same or similar issues, the commission may consolidate such claims for hearing.
(f) Members, alternates, and municipal staff as designated by the mayor may, to the extent practicable, serve as informal conciliators and encourage the parties to the complaint to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution through informal conciliation. Members and alternates who serve as conciliators shall not participate in the hearing on the complaint. Any agreement to resolve the complaint shall be in writing and signed by the parties.
(g) A hearing on the complaint shall be scheduled no later than thirty (30) days after the filing of the complaint, unless impracticable. Written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be given to the parties to the complaint at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing by first class mail, certified mail, or electronic mail.
(h) All parties to a hearing shall have the right to be represented, to cross-examine witnesses, to examine documents introduced into evidence, and to call witnesses and introduce evidence. The testimony taken at a hearing shall be made under oath. Hearings shall be recorded.
(i) If there is insufficient time to complete a hearing or for other cause, the commission shall have the power to adjourn the hearing to another time and date.
(j) No sale, assignment, transfer of the housing accommodation in question or attempt to evict the tenant shall be cause for discontinuing any pending proceeding nor shall it affect the rights, duties and obligations of the commission or the parties.
(k) The tenant shall either file a copy of any written lease with the complaint or bring a copy to the hearing.