Researcher: JSB Page 1 3/25/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1264
AN ACT REQUIRING A NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS TO PARTIES
BEFORE A FAIR RENT COMMISSION.
SUMMARY
This bill requires fair rent commissions (FRCs) to notify parties to an
FRC proceeding of their rights in the proceeding and the scope of the
FRC’s lawful authority. An FRC must do so in (1) an announcement at
the beginning of each FRC hearing and (2) writing (the bill does not
specify when in the proceeding the written notice is required).
The bill requires the housing commissioner to create the model
written notice and announcement and post them on the department’s
website.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
FRCs
FRCs are empowered to (1) control and eliminate excessive (i.e. harsh
and unconscionable) rental charges and (2) enforce landlord-tenant
statutes prohibiting landlord retaliation and establishing eviction
protections for certain protected tenants. Among other things, FRCs
may receive rent complaints and hold hearings on them (CGS § 7-148b
et seq.).
Related Bills
sSB 12 (§ 6), favorably reported by the Housing Committee, requires
every municipality to either establish an FRC itself or jointly with
another municipality or join a regional FRC administered by a council
of governments.
sSB 1266 (File 72), reported favorably by the Housing Committee, (1)
requires municipalities with an FRC to post on their website a copy of 2025SB-01264-R000203-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JSB Page 2 3/25/25
the commission’s adopted bylaws and (2) specifies that FRC hearings
must be open to the public.
HB 6892, reported favorably by the Housing Committee, modifies the
factors that fair rent commissions must consider when determining
whether a rental charge or proposed rent increase is excessive (to
include consideration of the percentage in rent increase for an
accommodation that changed ownership within the last year).
sHB 6943 (§ 3), reported favorably by the Housing Committee,
requires a landlord’s rent increase notice to include a statement that the
tenant has the right to file a complaint with the FRC to dispute the
increase if the dwelling unit is located in a municipality with a
commission.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Housing Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 18 Nay 0 (03/06/2025)