Pursuant to Sections 7-148b through 7-148f of
the General Statutes of Connecticut and by the action of the Special
Town Meeting, May 20, 1986, there is hereby created a Fair Rent Commission
in the Town of Simsbury with full powers and authority as set forth
in said statutes.
[Amended 11-13-2023]
The Fair Rent Commission shall consist of five
regular members who are electors or taxpayers, appointed by the Board
of Selectmen at the recommendation of the Town Manager. Five members
shall serve for a term of four years. Three members shall be appointed
to serve a term to expire November 30, 2024, thereafter to be appointed
to a four-year term to expire November 30, 2028. Two members shall
serve until November 30, 2026, thereafter to be appointed to a four-year
term to expire November 30, 2030. There shall also be two alternate
members appointed in the same fashion and following the same schedule.
The Director of Community and Social Services, or their designee,
shall serve as a non-voting member of said Commission. The members
of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
[Amended 11-13-2023]
Members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson,
Vice Chairperson and a Secretary for a term to be determined by vote
of the Commission.
Any person who violates a written agreement which has been entered into as the result of an informal conference held under §
15-4B of this chapter or who violates any order of rent reduction or rent suspension by demanding, accepting or receiving an amount in excess thereof while such order remains in effect, and no appeal pursuant to §
15-8 herein is pending, or who violates any other provision of this chapter or Section 47a-20 of the Connecticut General Statutes (Retaliatory Action by Landlord) or who refuses to obey any subpoena, order or decision of the Commission pursuant thereto, shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100 for each offense. If such offense continues for more than five days, it shall constitute a new offense for each day it continues to exist thereafter.
If the Commission determines after a hearing
that a landlord has retaliated in any manner against a tenant because
the tenant has complained to the Commission, the Commission may order
the landlord to cease and desist from such conduct.
Any person aggrieved by an order of the Commission
may appeal to the Housing Session of the Superior Court for the Judicial
District of Hartford-New Britain at Hartford. Any such appeal shall
be considered a privileged matter with respect to the order of trial
as provided in Section 7-148e of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Any amendments to the state law referring to
fair rent commissions will be automatically incorporated into this
chapter and made a part thereof.
The Commission shall become effective as of
the date of this chapter.