Torrington commission gets training on scope of powers, retaliation protections and procedures

Torrington’s Fair Rent Commission held a training session on Feb. 20, 2025, with attorneys Rafi Podolsky of Connecticut Legal Services and Sarah White of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center reviewing the commission’s statutory powers, evidentiary practices and common procedural issues.

The training focused on why the commission exists and how it may respond to complaints about rent increases, reductions in services and unsafe housing conditions. "They are municipal boards with the power to limit or modify rent increases, but also rental charges in general, which are really broadly defined to include fees as well," Sarah White said during the presentation.

The session explained the commission’s statutory decision framework, including the familiar 1969 standard referenced in practice: whether a rental charge is “so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable,” and an additional remedy to set rent to an amount that is “fair and equitable.” Podolsky described the practical focus: "your basic standard is what in the statute is referred to as... the rental charge being so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable." Commissioners were reminded the statute lists 13 factors to consider (size and history of increases; what services and utilities are included; unit condition and code compliance; landlord operating costs; tenant income and availability of alternatives; comparable rents and others), and that not every factor applies to every case.

Why it matters

Presenters said the commission plays a dual role: (1) an individualized rent‑stabilization mechanism that can prevent displacement of in‑place tenants, and (2) a practical enforcement partner that can buttress housing‑code work. White said a powerful, practical remedy is reducing or suspending rent until…