Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. II (2026) § 9-38
Eligibility to file complaint (Groton Art. II: Fair Rent Commission)
Operative Text
Any tenant who is notified, either verbally or in writing, of an increase in rent or a substantial decrease in major services provided by the landlord may file a written complaint form with the commission within 60 days after receiving such notice if the tenant has not already signed a written rental agreement or lease agreeing to the amount being requested. If the tenant's delinquency in payment of rent is in dispute, and if it is determined after a hearing that the tenant owes back rent, the tenant must pay the full amount owed to the commission's escrow account within seven calendar days after the hearing or the case shall be dismissed by the commission. This amount shall be withdrawn from the escrow account and paid to the landlord upon written request from the landlord. Any landlord shall be eligible to file with the commission a written request for determination of a fair rent for any housing accommodation owned by the landlord, in the town, except those accommodations exempted in section 9-31 . Any landlord or his representative shall be eligible to petition the commission for a readjustment of the rent as provided by section 9-37 .
Section 9-38 of Groton's Code of Ordinances establishes who may bring matters before the town's rent commission and under what conditions. A tenant who receives notice—verbal or written—of a rent increase or a substantial cut in major services has 60 days to file a written complaint, provided the tenant has not already signed an agreement accepting the new amount. Landlords, for their part, may ask the commission to determine a fair rent for any non-exempt housing accommodation they own in Groton, or petition for a rent readjustment under section 9-37. When a tenant's rent delinquency is disputed, any back rent found to be owed after a hearing must be deposited into the commission's escrow account within seven calendar days or the case is dismissed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under section 9-38, property owners in Groton have two distinct avenues before the rent commission: filing a written request for a fair-rent determination for any eligible housing accommodation, or petitioning for a rent readjustment as outlined in section 9-37. Operators who dispute a tenant's claim of delinquency should be aware that if back rent is confirmed at a hearing, the commission holds those funds in escrow until the landlord submits a written withdrawal request. Keeping clear records of all rent notices—whether delivered verbally or in writing—helps document the timeline that governs a tenant's 60-day complaint window under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9-38 gives Groton tenants the right to file a written complaint with the rent commission within 60 days of receiving notice of a rent increase or a substantial reduction in major services, as long as the tenant has not already signed a written agreement accepting the new terms. If a dispute over unpaid rent arises and a hearing determines that back rent is owed, the full amount must be paid into the commission's escrow account within seven calendar days to keep the case active. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the commission's complaint procedures to understand the available enforcement paths.
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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