April 8, 2024
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim, 860-638-4801

Middletown Fair Rent Commission Accepting Complaints

Mayor Ben Florsheim would like to make the community aware that the newly established Middletown Fair Rent Commission has a full slate of commissioners, and is currently accepting and hearing cases to address unfair rent increases and other issues related to tenants’ rights in Middletown. The Fair Rent Commission acts on an impartial basis to resolve fair rent and related issues between landlords and tenants. 

Under state law authored by the late Representative Quentin Williams of Middletown, cities and towns with 25,000 residents or more must have a fair rent commission to make studies and investigations, conduct hearings, and adjudicate complaints related to rent on housing accommodations, including mobile homes, but excluding accommodations rented on a seasonal basis. The purpose of the Middletown Fair Rent Commission is to control and eliminate excessive rental charges for housing accommodations within the City of Middletown, and to carry out the duties and responsibilities pertaining to fair rent commissions set forth in the State Statutes approved by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2022.

How the Fair Rent Commission Works

Like other commissions and boards in the City of Middletown, the Middletown Fair Rent Commission (MFRC) is made up of community members who volunteer their time as appointed Commissioners to serve the greater community. These community members, assisted by staff and counsel, are empowered, in appropriate cases and after considering many factors, to take actions including:

• Stopping or delaying an unconscionable, excessive rent increase;
• Limiting rent to a fair and equitable amount, or suspending rent payments, until health or safety violations are repaired;
• Ordering a landlord to stop any and all retaliatory actions; and
• Enforcing its orders through fines or by commencement of a civil action. 

The Commission also may, in appropriate cases, refer complaints for additional investigation to other agencies or departments (such as the building, zoning, or health departments) or to the State’s Attorney. 

The Commission responds according to the circumstances of each issued raised to them. Initially, the Commission will seek mediation between the parties to resolve a complaint. If mediation is unsuccessful, a hearing will be held and the Commission will thereafter render its decision. Hearings are recorded, and in accordance with the state Freedom of Information Act, both the hearing itself and the deliberation by the Commission shall be conducted as open meetings and recorded as a matter of public record. Any person aggrieved by any order or decision of the Commission may appeal to the Superior Court within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the written notice of the decision to the parties. Under law, no landlord may engage in retaliatory actions if a tenant contacts the Middletown Fair Rent Commission. Thus, the Commission is an important resource to the entire community to limit rent increases to a reasonable amount, promote housing and health code compliance, and support positive relations between landlords and tenants through a fair mediation process. 

The Creation of the Fair Rent Commission 

The establishment of the Fair Rent Commission was largely the result of work led by former Connecticut State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams. Q began serving as co-chair of the Housing Committee in his second term, which was a significant honor for a relatively new legislator. Quentin Williams, who was born and raised in Middletown, had been approached by older residents who were facing significant rent increases in Middletown in 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the need he saw in our community, he authored the bill mandating fair rent commissions in communities with over 25,000 residents, and began moving the legislation forward through the Connecticut General Assembly. 

The ordinance governing the Fair Rent Commission in the City of Middletown was approved by the General Counsel Commission at their June 21, 2023 meeting. The ordinance was then passed by the Common Council on July 3, 2023. Mayor Florsheim began appointing members of the Middletown Fair Rent Commission in September of 2023, and the Commission held its first meeting on December 20, 2023, where they elected a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Commission holds regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The City has retained Attorney Philip Kent, a partner at Susman, Duffy & Segaloff, P.C., as counsel for the Fair Rent Commission.

The Commission consists of seven members and three alternates, all of whom are electors (residents) of the City of Middletown. Of the seven regular members, at least two must be landlords and at least two must be tenants. Among the alternate members, at least one must be a landlord and at least one must be a tenant.  Members of the Commission are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council for staggered terms of four years. It is the City’s goal that Commission members are representative of all socio-economic, age, racial, and gender-identifying segments of the City and reside in different neighborhoods within the City of Middletown.

Cait Duffy, Vice-Chair of the Middletown Fair Rent Commission stated, “I hope that the FRC will help tenants and landlords conduct business compassionately and meaningfully in our community. More often than not, we are pressured by daily demands of life and lack of income, but are inclined to cooperate--- hopefully this quasi-judicial body will bring us one step closer to that goal.” 

Philip Kent, a partner at Susman, Duffy & Segaloff, P.C., and counsel to the Middletown Fair Rent Commission stated, "Middletown is proud to have developed this new forum in accordance with state law for tenants and landlords to aid in establishing fair rents and living conditions and to fairly evaluate any such complaints that arise.  The MFRC has already fielded, in one way or another, about 10 complaints since December 2023 and we just want the community to be aware that the MFRC exists and has a group of dedicated Commissioners already working on its behalf."

Mayor Florsheim went on to comment, “The Middletown Fair Rent Commission is a significant step in creating a more egalitarian community where all residents have a chance to thrive. Housing costs often represent the most burdensome financial challenge people face, and when rental costs escalate astronomically this has a devastating effect on people’s lives. It is my goal that Middletown is a welcoming and equitable place for both tenants and landlords. It is also deeply heartening to know that the Middletown Fair Rent Commission is putting into action a dream and a policy goal set forth by Q Williams, who was a champion of fair housing during his life and career. The Commission will undoubtedly benefit many in this community, and also serves as a tangible living legacy of Q and his love for Middletown.”

How to File a Complaint

More information about the Middletown Fair Rent Commission can be found at https://www.middletownct.gov under the Government tab. The Middletown Fair Rent Commission section on the City of Middletown website includes the Commission’s meeting schedule, agendas and minutes, the state law, as well as the Middletown Fair Rent Commission Ordinance and Bylaws. The website also contains instructions and the form residents can use to file a complaint. Residents can send a completed complaint form with their current lease, proof of rent due, and proof of new proposed rent due to fairrentcommission@MiddletownCT.gov and pkent@susmanduffy.com. General questions about the Middletown Fair Rent Commission can be directed the Office of the General Counsel by calling (860) 638-4820.