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West Haven residents of 62 Treat Street urge council to act after steep rent hikes and building complaints
Summary
Three residents of 62 Treat Street told the City Council they face large rent increases, repair backlogs and pest infestations; council members referred the complaints to the Fair Rent investigator and the health department and discussed involving corporation counsel.
Three tenants of an apartment building at 62 Treat Street told the West Haven City Council on Oct. 14 that a new owner has raised rents by roughly $300, issued 30-day move notices to longstanding residents and left critical maintenance undone.
"I'm at 62 Treat Street where we've had a new owner that has came in, increased our rent by $300, and that is forcing people out, especially our seniors," said Eldrin Smith, a 69-year-old tenant, describing an elevator that has been out for more than five months, interior damage and insect problems that were only addressed after he contacted the health department. "We pay taxes here. Aren't we entitled to have the right things to be treated fairly?" Smith said.
Why it matters: Tenants said the increases and short notices are displacing seniors and exacerbating health and safety problems. Council members moved to refer the complaints for investigation and asked city staff and legal counsel to review options for enforcement and assistance.
What happened: During public comment, Sandra Heinde, who lives below Smith in Apartment 114, called a proposed 30%-plus increase for a one-bedroom apartment "grossly unfair" and asked whether there is a legal cap on increases. Laura Doucette said she received a certified notice to vacate by Nov. 1 after being told her rent would rise from $1,065 to $1,400; she described rodent problems and additional fees for paying by check.
Council response and next steps: Councilman Mackey asked that the matter be referred to the Fair Rent investigator and to the health department for investigation; the clerk confirmed letters would be sent to both departments about conditions at 62 Treat Street. Councilwoman Catherine Tucker urged that the corporation counsel be asked to investigate whether the city can take additional action. Chairman Nicholas Pascale and other council members told the speakers they would meet with them after the meeting to gather more details.
Details raised at the meeting: - Tenants said the Fair Rent Commission previously issued a ruling restoring one tenant's rent to $1,135; property management is contesting enforcement in court, according to a public commenter. - Reported charges and fees include an additional $25 fee for paying by check, a $5 fee for an online portal, and a daily holdover charge the commenter cited as $35.50 per day. - Tenants reported insects (bees/wasps), mice and falling cabinetry; an elevator outage was said to have lasted more than five months.
What council recorded as action: The council referred the matter at 62 Treat Street to the Fair Rent investigator and to the health department for investigation and follow-up. Council members said they would circulate written communications and work with staff and legal counsel where appropriate.
The council did not adopt any new ordinance or regulation at the meeting; the referral directs staff and investigators to examine tenant complaints and report back to the council.
