East Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-97
Authority of fair rent commission
Operative Text
The commission shall make studies and investigations, receive complaints, and conduct hearings relative to excessive rental charges on housing accommodations within the Town of East Haven, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal basis, in order to control and eliminate excessive rental charges on such accommodations and to carry out the provisions of C.G.S. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f, inclusive, C.G.S. § 47a-20, and subsection (b) of C.G.S. § 47a-23c, as now existing and may be amended from time to time, as they apply to fair rent commissions. The commission, for such purposes, may 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. The commission's authority shall be over excessive rental charges--rental charges found to be harsh and unconscionable--not over market rental rates. The commission does not have any jurisdiction to award a complainant or respondent with monetary damages. For the purposes of this section, "seasonal basis" means housing accommodations rented for a period or periods aggregating to not more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any one calendar year and "rental charge" includes any fee or charge in addition to rent that is imposed or sought to be imposed upon a tenant by a landlord.
East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-97 establishes the authority of the town's Fair Rent Commission to investigate, receive complaints about, and hold hearings on rental charges deemed harsh and unconscionable — not simply high market rates. The Commission can compel witnesses, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and issue or modify orders, but it cannot award monetary damages to either party. Its jurisdiction covers most year-round housing in East Haven, excluding accommodations rented for 120 days or fewer in a calendar year, and the definition of 'rental charge' extends beyond base rent to include additional fees imposed on tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-97, compliant property owners and managers ensure that all charges collected from tenants — including fees beyond base rent — are not structured in a way that could be characterized as harsh and unconscionable. Operators who receive a Commission subpoena or hearing notice are generally expected to appear and provide relevant documentation, as the Commission holds authority to compel attendance. Because the Commission can issue, amend, or suspend orders, landlords who manage year-round (non-seasonal) housing in East Haven typically keep clear records of how rental charges are calculated and justified.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-97 gives tenants in year-round housing a formal avenue to challenge rental charges — including fees beyond base rent — that they believe are harsh and unconscionable. Tenants may file a complaint directly with the East Haven Fair Rent Commission, which has the power to investigate, hold hearings, and issue binding orders. While the Commission cannot award monetary damages under this provision, its orders can address the excessive charge itself; tenants seeking to understand their options may also consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Connecticut fair rent commission procedures.
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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