New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-2
Definitions
Operative Text
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this chapter shall be as follows: Commission shall mean the fair rent commission of the City of New Haven, Connecticut. Housing accommodation shall mean any building or structure, wholly or in part, containing living quarters occupied or fairly intended for occupancy as a place of residence, with any land or buildings appurtenant thereto and any services, furniture and facilities supplied in connection therewith except: a hospital, convent, monastery, asylum, public institution, college or school dormitory, or any such accommodation which is operated or used exclusively for charitable or educational purposes. Landlord shall mean any person who leases, subleases, rents, permits, or suffers the occupancy of any housing accommodation, including a person who manages a housing accommodation owned by someone else. - Person shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, corporation, or group. Rent or rental charges shall mean any consideration, monetary or otherwise, including any bonus, benefit, or gratuity, demanded or received for the use or occupancy of any housing accommodation. Tenant shall mean any person who leases or rents, whether by written or oral lease, or who in any other legal way occupies any housing accommodation, as a residence for themself or their immediate family. Tenants' union shall mean an organization whose membership is comprised of the tenants living in a housing accommodation containing five (5) or more separate rental units sharing common ownership and located on the same parcel or adjoining parcels of land, and that has been created by agreement of a majority of the tenants listed as lessees within the housing accommodation. Such organization must be registered with the commission to participate in any studies, investigations, or hearings. Tenants living in an owner-occupied housing accommodation may not organize a tenants' union. Tenants' union representative shall mean the person designated by the members of a tenants' union to represent it in connection with any studies, investigations, and hearings involving that tenants' union or its members. Such person is not required to be a tenant or resident of the housing accommodation.
Section 12¾-2 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's fair rent chapter, setting out what terms like 'landlord,' 'tenant,' 'housing accommodation,' and 'rent' mean throughout the chapter. Notably, certain facilities—such as hospitals, dormitories, convents, and accommodations used exclusively for charitable or educational purposes—fall outside the definition of 'housing accommodation' and are therefore not covered by the chapter's protections. The definitions also recognize tenants' unions as a formal participant in commission proceedings, provided they meet specific formation and registration requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12¾ § 12¾-2, the definition of 'landlord' is broad, covering not only property owners but also anyone who manages a housing accommodation on behalf of an owner. Operators of residential buildings should be aware that 'rent' is defined to include non-monetary consideration, bonuses, and gratuities—not just cash payments—meaning the chapter's rules apply to a wide range of compensation arrangements. Managers of buildings with five or more units on the same or adjoining parcels under common ownership should also be aware that tenants in those buildings may organize and register a tenants' union with the Fair Rent Commission.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12¾-2 defines 'tenant' to include anyone who occupies a housing accommodation as a residence under a written or oral lease, or through any other legal arrangement, which means a wide range of living situations may fall under the chapter's protections. Tenants in buildings of five or more units sharing common ownership may have the ability to form a tenants' union under this section, provided a majority of lessees agree and the union is registered with the New Haven Fair Rent Commission. Tenants who want to understand whether their housing situation qualifies as a 'housing accommodation' under ch. 12¾—or whether they are eligible to participate in commission proceedings—may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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