Fair Rent Commission finds prior remedial order followed after contested Andrews v. Bissom hearing

The Middletown Fair Rent Commission concluded a compliance hearing in Andrews v. Bissom on matters of plumbing backups, window operability and garage security and found that the commission's prior remedial order had generally been followed.

Tenants said the bathtub and shower repeatedly filled and drained slowly, windows failed to stay locked and drafted, and the garage lock had been broken and accessed by other tenants without notice. A tenant described video evidence she said showed a bag containing decaying rodents found in the shared garage. The tenants asked the commission to require further repairs and to ensure the unit is secure and habitable.

Landlord representatives and a licensed contractor testified that the bathtub and sink drains had been snaked and that, on the contractor's inspection, "all the windows are operable" except for one, which the contractor identified as not opening. The landlord said the garage door was accessible and acknowledged routine maintenance items (weatherstripping, window balancers) that would be addressed. The landlord also said contractors had sometimes been unable to complete work because of heated interactions on site and limited access windows of tenant availability.

Commissioners described multiple site visits and considered both the tenants' ongoing complaints and objective evidence gathered by inspectors. One commissioner said the drain cleared after snaking and that the landlords made a good-faith effort to address the order's items; another commissioner emphasized continuing problems, especially the one window that remained stuck and drafty during the cold weather.

The commission voted on the motion that the prior order had been followed. Two commissioners abstained (they had participated in on-site inspection and chose to step aside from deliberation), the motion passed on the remaining votes with a 3–1 split on the windows question. Commissioners recorded that the decision and the dismissal language would include instructions about a motion for reconsideration and that a party has 15 days from mailing or emailing of the decision to seek reopening upon a showing of reasonable cause.

The commission noted that continued monitoring and follow-up inspection would be appropriate if tenants report further failures to comply. The written decision will list admitted exhibits and will describe the availability of motions to reopen under the commission's rules.

The hearing record includes sworn testimony from tenants and landlord representatives, contractor inspection reports, and multiple video exhibits submitted by the tenants. The commission did not order additional emergency remedies at the meeting but directed staff to include clear next steps and reconsideration instructions in the written decision.