Hamden, Conn., Mun. Code Ch. 33 §§ 33.70–33.88 § 33.86
ENFORCEMENT
Operative Text
(A) Any person who violates any order of rent reduction or rent suspension by demanding, accepting or receiving an amount in excess thereof while such order remains in effect, and no appeal pursuant to § 7-148e is pending, or who violates any other provision of this chapter or C.G.S. § 47a-20 or 21-80a or who refuses to obey any subpoena, order or decision of the Commission pursuant thereto shall be fined the maximum amount permitted by the General Statutes for such offense. If such offense continues for more than five days, it shall constitute a new offense for each day it continues to exist thereafter. (B) The Commission may request the Town Attorney to institute and the Town Attorney may then institute, an action to any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any order of the Commission made pursuant to this subchapter, including enforcement of compliance; or, to enjoin a violation or threatened violation of any order of the Commission; or, to seek damages incurred as a result of the violation of any order of the Commission made pursuant to this subchapter. Such direction to the Town Attorney shall be written by the chairperson of the Commission or by his or her designee. (C) The Commission shall develop a standard mechanism for notifying the Housing Division of the Superior Court of Fair Rent Commission orders that prohibit the landlord from filing or maintaining a summary process action and an agreement as to how such orders will be implemented. (Ord. 187, passed 11-5-79; Am. Ord. 734, passed 1-17-23) Penalty, see § 33.999 (B)
Hamden Ch. 33 § 33.86 establishes enforcement mechanisms for Fair Rent Commission orders. Any person who violates a rent reduction or suspension order — or any other provision of the chapter or related state statutes — may be fined the maximum amount allowed under Connecticut's General Statutes, with each day beyond five that a violation continues counting as a separate offense. The Commission may also direct the Town Attorney to seek court enforcement, injunctions, or damages, and must create a process for notifying the Superior Court's Housing Division when its orders bar a landlord from pursuing eviction proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Hamden Ch. 33 § 33.86, operators who are subject to a Fair Rent Commission rent reduction or suspension order are expected to comply fully while that order is in effect and no appeal is pending. Compliant operators do not demand, accept, or receive rent above the ordered amount, since each day of continued noncompliance beyond five days can be treated as a new, separately fineable offense. Operators also take note that the Commission can direct the Town Attorney to pursue court action — including injunctions and damages — to enforce its orders.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Hamden Ch. 33 § 33.86 gives tenants meaningful enforcement backstops when a Fair Rent Commission order is in place. If a landlord continues to charge rent above an ordered reduction or suspension, each day of violation beyond five days can constitute a separate offense subject to fines, and the Commission can ask the Town Attorney to seek court enforcement or damages on behalf of the order. Tenants who believe a landlord is violating a Commission order may consider contacting the Hamden Fair Rent Commission directly, raising the violation as a defense in any related Housing Division proceeding, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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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