New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-4

The commission shall have the following powers: (1)
To make studies and investigations into rentals charged for housing accommodations within the City of New Haven as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities hereunder.
(2) To receive complaints, inquiries, and other communications concerning alleged excessive rental charges in housing accommodations within said city.
(3) To conduct hearings, either on its own motion or on complaints or requests for investigation submitted to it by any interested person.
(4) To administer oaths.
(5) To subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance at said hearings and to compel production of any books and documents relating to any matter under investigation or question.
(6) To determine, after a hearing, whether the rent for any housing accommodation is so excessive based on the standards and criteria of this chapter, as to be harsh and unconscionable.
(7) To order a reduction of any excessive rent to an amount the commission considers fair and equitable, retroactive to the date of filing of the complaint. Such order shall be effective for one (1) year from its date, except as provided under subsection (9) of this section, or if the commission shall, pursuant to a subsequent petition by the landlord or the tenant order that the rent be changed.
(8) To determine, after a hearing, whether a housing accommodation fails to comply with state statutes, municipal ordinances, municipal landlord licensing requirements, and other regulations relating to health and safety.
(9) To order the suspension of further payment of rent by the tenant to the landlord and order the deposit of said rent in an escrow account to be administered by the commission, as hereinafter described, until such time as the landlord makes necessary changes, repairs, alterations, or installations so as to bring the housing accommodation into compliance with state statutes, municipal ordinances, municipal landlord licensing requirements, or other regulations relating to health and safety, if the commission finds that the housing accommodation in question fails to comply with said statutes, ordinances, or regulations.
(10) To refer, in those instances which it deems appropriate, those housing accommodations which fail to comply with state statutes, municipal ordinances, and landlord licensing requirements, or other regulations relating to health and safety to the appropriate enforcement agency or office of the state or local government.
(11) To do all things how or hereinafter authorized by Public Act 274 of the 1969 General Assembly or Public Act 83-425 as the same now read(s) or may be amended from time to time.
(12) To adopt rules and regulations for the carrying on of its functions, including rules and regulations for the conduct of its hearings.
(13) To continue, review, modify, terminate, or suspend all its orders and decisions.
(14) To attempt, through the process of informal conciliation and negotiation between a complaining tenant and a landlord, to arrive at a rental agreement which is mutually acceptable to said tenant and landlord before initiating the formal hearing process.
(15) To deposit into the escrow account rent paid to the commission by tenants whose landlord has refused to accept the rent after a tenant has filed a complaint or claim of retaliation. Said rent shall be withdrawn from the escrow account and paid to the landlord upon written request from the landlord.