File #: OR-2022-0017    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Enacted
File created: 5/31/2022 In control: City Clerk
On agenda: Final action:
Title: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS AMENDING THE NEW HAVEN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FAIR RENT COMMISSION & TENANTS' UNION.
Attachments: 1. Tenants Union Checklist 5 31 2022, 2. 1.-BOA Submission Cover-Tenants Union Amend 6 1 2022, 3. Ordinance_Proposed FRC re Tenants Unions, 4. Proposed FRC Ordinances re Tenants Unions 5 31 2022, 5. PRIOR NOTIFICATION FORM Tenants Union submission 5 31 2022 final, 6. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT tenants union submission 5 27 2022 final, 7. OR-2022-0017 FRC Tenants Union Ordinance signed cover, 8. OR-2022-0017 FRC Tenants Union Ordinance signed packet, 9. OR-2022-0017, 10. OR-2022-0017 (1)
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ORDINANCE AMENDMENT OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS AMENDING THE NEW HAVEN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FAIR RENT COMMISSION & TENANTS' UNION.

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WHEREAS, membership in a "tenants' union" may provide a defense against retaliatory evictions under Connecticut General Statutes ? 47a-20; and

WHEREAS, "tenants' union" is mentioned in the plain language of General Statutes ? 47a-20, but is not defined or discussed anywhere else in the existing laws of the State of Connecticut or those of the City of New Haven; and
WHEREAS, there are self-declared "tenants' unions" being formed by residents of the City of New Haven; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City of New Haven Ordinances ? 12 3/4-1, the Fair Rent Commission exists for the purpose of controlling and eliminating excessive rental charges on residential property within the City of New Haven; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Rent Commission of the City of New Haven has the authority to recognize and regulate tenants' unions consistent with the powers granted to by Connecticut General Statutes ? 7-148b, et seq.; and
WHEREAS, City of New Haven Ordinance ? 12 3/4-8 lists nine criteria to be considered when deciding a complaint before the Commission; and
WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statutes ? 7-148c, which is the statute on which Ordinance ? 12 3/4-8 is based, includes the same nine criteria, plus an additional four criteria, which are not included in the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an amendment adding additional the criteria of General Statutes ? 7-148c to Ordinance ? 12 3/4-8 would bring conformity between the City of New Haven Ordinances and Connecticut General Statutes, as well as reflect the current practices of the Commission to consider all of the criteria permissible under the General Statutes when issuing a decision on a complaint before the Commission;
Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained that Chapter 12 3/4 of the Ordinances of the City of New Haven be amended as follows [proposed amendments in all caps]:

City Ordinance ? ...

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