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Avon tenants urge Council to pursue Fair Rent protections after alleged rent overcharges
Summary
Residents of Avon Place told the Avon Town Council that new ownership overcharged tenants and signaled plans for steep rent increases; Council said the Town Attorney will brief members in November on the legal and logistical steps for joining or forming a Fair Rent Commission.
Amy Arland, a resident and representative of the Avon Place Tenant Union, told the Avon Town Council on Oct. 9 that new owners of Avon Place had overcharged more than a dozen tenants—some by roughly $300—and did not notify all tenants of the errors.
"There was nobody for us to go when this happened; we knew we were being mistreated and what was happening was illegal and there was nobody to go to," Arland said, urging the town to join an existing regional Fair Rent Commission or establish one to protect tenants before November rent adjustments take effect.
Chairman Polhamus thanked Arland for sharing residents’ experiences and said the Town has inspected units and has seen evidence that Up Realty is addressing maintenance issues. He cautioned, however, that ‘‘it’s not as simple as joining another town’s’’ Fair Rent Commission, noting a substantial legal burden and administrative steps required before Avon could join or form such a body. He said the Town Attorney will brief Council in November so members can evaluate options.
Council members encouraged tenant organizing and email communications that document issues. Mr. Weber acknowledged the Council’s desire to act quickly but described the process as requiring careful legal and administrative review so any enforcement mechanism is defensible and properly staffed.
Barbara Bowman-Paine, another Avon Place resident, said tenants fear that large rent increases will ripple through the local rental market and make housing unaffordable for low- and middle-income families. Council members said staff are exploring a regional approach with CRCOG and will present statutory details and likely impacts at the November meeting.
The Town Manager told Council staff will prepare information showing revenue and Grand List impacts for options such as allowing up to two acres of land in a veteran exemption and will bring statutory language about Fair Rent Commissions for discussion. Attorney Ken Slater is scheduled to attend next month to outline legal requirements and limitations.
Next steps: The Council will receive a legal briefing in November on Fair Rent Commission options, and staff said they will present potential administrative models and the likely resource implications for Avon.
