Fair Rent panel finds landlord complied with repair order for building entrance, tenant disputes fix

The Middletown Fair Rent Commission voted to find that a landlord complied with a prior repair order for the building entrance at 1160 South Main Street, though the tenant who filed the complaint told the commission the hinge failed again after a recent repair.

The finding came after the commission heard testimony from a tenant who produced time-stamped photos showing a broken hinge and said, “This broke earlier in the week … the hinge is completely broken again,” (Speaker 9) and after a commissioner who inspected the door reported it was functioning when he checked it. David Rosenberg, introduced to the record as present on behalf of Cassell Equity and who spoke for the management company (Speaker 6), told the commission the repairs had been made and inspected.

Commission debate focused on whether the repair completed the commission’s earlier stipulation or whether the subsequent failure meant the landlord remained noncompliant. Rosenberg said the management company’s pattern is to make repairs and that "the repair was done" and that subsequent damage could be caused by vandalism or wear. The tenant countered that earlier repairs—one he said was soldered—were inadequate and that the door had a history of repeated problems.

After discussion the chair moved that the commission find the prior order complied with. Commissioners voted in favor; one abstention was recorded. The commission noted the tenant may pursue additional remedies: filing a new complaint with the commission, submitting a maintenance request to create a documented trail, or pursuing housing court remedies if appropriate. Staff indicated that if the tenant continues to experience problems, the commission could reopen the matter.

The commission’s action closes the door-repair component of that complaint for now but preserves options for the tenant to return with additional evidence or to seek remedies through other channels.