Norwalk Fair Rent Commission sets temporary fair rent of $985 for tenant in Revales v. Soundview LLC

The Norwalk Fair Rent Commission on Wednesday considered a complaint by tenant Diana Revales challenging a rent increase proposed by Soundview LLC for the two-bedroom unit at 53-55 Woodward Ave. After hearing testimony from Revales, landlord representatives and staff, the commission voted unanimously to set the fair rent for Revales' unit at $985 per month, effective Aug. 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025.

The decision follows a full evidentiary hearing in which the commission reviewed income and expense information, photos and inspection reports, the condition of the unit and common areas, and claims of retaliatory conduct. The commission said it relied on the parties' testimony, landlord exhibits and inspection photographs in reaching its finding.

Revales, who told the commission she has "lived there for now going on 15 years," testified about long-standing maintenance and sanitary concerns including intermittent hot water, a stopped toilet she said went unrepaired for two days, leaks that left visible damage and recurring garbage and snow-removal problems in common areas. She also said she is a tenant with a disability and requested accommodation and a phased increase to limit financial disruption.

Soundview's representative presented an income-and-expense case for the six-unit building. The landlord's representative asked the commission to "determine what a fair rent for this unit in question is," and submitted an exhibit listing current rents in the building and comparable rents in the area. The landlord said two of the other identical two-bedroom units had been renovated and re-rented at higher market rates and provided a summary of building-level expenses including real estate taxes and turnover costs; the landlord also said the specific building carries no mortgage.

During the hearing the commission examined three specific areas the rules require: (1) tenant income and the landlord's operating costs, (2) the unit's physical condition and compliance with sanitary/health codes, and (3) services, furnishings and utilities. Commissioners questioned the landlord about the basis for the claimed expenses and turnover costs and asked for documentation; the landlord said more detailed records could be provided as follow-up. The commission noted the landlord provided an itemized exhibit (exhibit 7) showing building rents and market comparables, and the chair displayed housing-inspection photos (exhibit 6) during testimony.

On the income question, the commission recorded the tenant's testimony and the parties' documents and found, for the purpose of the fair-rent calculation, that Revales receives monthly disability income and related payments and receives food assistance; the commission summarized those amounts in deliberations and recorded an approximate monthly household income of about $2,700 based on testimony in the hearing.

On the condition of the unit and building, commissioners reviewed photographs and testimony and found the overall condition of the building and common areas to be below average; the interior of Revales' unit was characterized in deliberations as between below average and average, with evidence of water damage and other deferred maintenance in circumscribed locations. The commission also considered the parties' claims about response times for repairs; the landlord said contractors and a local property manager respond to maintenance requests, and staff photographs and city health-department contact were offered in support of some of the tenant's concerns.

The commission considered whether the landlord's serving of a notice to quit for nonpayment constituted unlawful retaliation. The landlord said it served a notice to quit for nonpayment and had previously paused eviction while the Fair Rent matter proceeded; Revales testified she believed some billing and ledger errors contributed to alleged delinquency and described the notices as harassing. The commission found no evidence in the record that rose to the statutory standard for retaliation under the Fair Rent procedures.

After closing arguments the commission deliberated and announced findings: (1) tenant household income was recorded as approximately $2,700 per month for the purposes of the hearing record; (2) the building and common areas were below average in condition and the apartment interior was between below average and average; (3) no statutory retaliation was proved by the evidence in the file; and (4) the fair rent for the subject unit is $985 per month effective Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025. The commission's vote was recorded as unanimous by the members present.

The commission closed case 18-51-24 (Revales v. Soundview LLC). The panel also requested that the landlord provide supporting documentation for the expense figures presented during the hearing; the decision record notes those exhibits may be added as supplemental evidence if submitted to the commission.

The commission said it would issue a written decision and order reflecting the findings and the fair-rent determination.