New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-8
Standards pertaining to rental charges
Operative Text
In making determinations as to whether a rental charge is excessive, the commission shall give due consideration to the following: (1) Rents charged for the same number of rooms in other housing accommodations within the city; (2) The sanitary conditions in the housing accommodations in question; (3) The number of bathtubs, showers, toilets, bathroom sinks, and kitchen sinks available to the occupant thereof; (4) Services, furniture, furnishings, and equipment supplied within said housing accommodation by the landlord; (5) Size and number of bedrooms and number of whole bathrooms in the accommodation; (6) Repairs, including the cost necessary to make such housing accommodation comply with the minimum standards required by the Housing or Building Code of the City of New Haven; (7) Compliance of the housing accommodation with the ordinances of the City of New Haven municipal landlord licensing requirements and the general statutes and regulations of the State of Connecticut relating to health and safety; (8) Amount of taxes and overhead expenses of the landlord; (9) Income of the tenant and availability of other accommodations for them and their immediate family. (10) The availability of utilities; (11) Damages done to the premises by the tenant, caused by other than ordinary wear and tear; (12) The amount and frequency of increases in rental charges; (13) Whether, and the extent to which, the income from an increase in rental charges has been or will be reinvested in improvements to the accommodation.
New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-8 establishes a multi-factor framework that the city's commission uses when evaluating whether a rental charge is excessive. The factors span a wide range of considerations, including comparable rents elsewhere in the city, the physical condition and amenities of the unit, the landlord's costs and tax obligations, the tenant's income and housing alternatives, and whether rent increases are being reinvested into property improvements. No single factor is controlling; the commission weighs all relevant circumstances together to reach a determination.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12¾ § 12¾-8, operators whose rental charges come under commission review are generally expected to be able to document the condition and amenities of their units, their tax and overhead costs, and any improvements funded by rent increases. Maintaining records of code compliance—including adherence to New Haven's municipal landlord licensing requirements and Connecticut health and safety regulations—supports a showing that a given charge is not excessive. Operators who invest rent-increase revenue back into the property may find that factor weighs in their favor during a commission review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12¾-8 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to challenge a rental charge they believe is excessive by triggering a commission review that considers factors favorable to renters, such as the unit's sanitary conditions, available amenities, and the tenant's own income and access to alternative housing. Tenants who believe their rent is excessive may consider filing a complaint with the relevant New Haven commission or contacting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on how the review process works. Documenting the condition of the unit, the services provided, and the history of rent increases can be relevant to the factors the commission is required to weigh under this provision.
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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