Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 39 § 39-11
Escrow (Norwalk Fair Rent Commission Ordinance)
Operative Text
The Commission shall establish an escrow account through the City of Norwalk into which it shall deposit all rents or other funds paid to it. Said funds shall be held in the escrow account until such time as the order of the Commission is complied with, or until the Commission acts on the complaint or makes other appropriate order, or until a further order is made by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, the Commission may, at its discretion, provide for the payment of the landlord's mortgage, taxes and insurance and his cost of heat, water, electricity and other essential utilities when said expenses become due and payable. In addition, at its discretion, the Commission may order payment of other necessary expenses which are due and payable or may order payment of the full balance to the landlord in cases of unusual hardship.
Under Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 39 § 39-11, when the Norwalk Commission receives rents or other funds in connection with a housing complaint, it must deposit those funds into a City-managed escrow account. The money stays in escrow until the landlord complies with the Commission's order, the Commission resolves the complaint or issues another appropriate order, or a court directs otherwise. The Commission retains discretion to release funds from escrow to cover the landlord's mortgage, taxes, insurance, and essential utility costs as they come due, and may also authorize other necessary payments or release the full balance to the landlord in cases of unusual hardship.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a Commission proceeding under Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 39 § 39-11 should be aware that rents collected by the Commission are held in a City escrow account and are not automatically forwarded to them. Compliant operators generally work to satisfy the Commission's order as promptly as possible, since funds remain in escrow until compliance is achieved or the Commission otherwise acts. Landlords whose ongoing mortgage payments, taxes, insurance premiums, or essential utility bills are at risk may request that the Commission exercise its discretion to release funds for those specific expenses while the escrow remains open.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 39 § 39-11, tenants whose rents are being held in escrow by the Commission have the assurance that those funds are secured in a City-managed account and cannot be freely accessed by the landlord until the Commission's order is satisfied or another appropriate order is made. This escrow mechanism is designed to give the Commission leverage to encourage landlord compliance with its orders. Tenants who have questions about how this provision applies to an open complaint may contact the Commission directly or consult a local tenant-rights organization for general information about the process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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