‘CHECK LIST FOR ALDERMANIC SUBMISSIONS Cover Leter Resolutions! Orders Ordinances roe Notiteatioe Form Fiscal impact Statement - Should include comprehensive budget ‘Supporting Docunertaton(ifapplicale) Disk or E-miled Cover leter& Order IN ADDITION IF A GRANT: Notice of latent Grant Sutnmary Executive Summary (aot longer than S pages without an explanation) Date Submited: s/si/2022 Meeting Submited For e/6/2022 Regular or Suspension Agenda: Submited By: Tair Rent Comission “We ot teislation: Fair Rent Commission and Tenants’ Union Proposed Amendments to the City of ‘New Haven Ordinances Coordinator grate: ik i a Hit Controle Signature i grant Mayor’ Office Signature: Call (205) 946°7670 with any questions. ‘uiemtalvertnewiavencl neNeW HAVEN CITY PLAN DEPARTMENT. 165 CHURCH STREET,S" FL, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510 TEL (203) 946-6378 FAX (203) 946-7815 June 1, 2022 Honorable Tyisha Walker Myers, President Board of Alders ofthe City of New Haven 165 Chureh Sweet New Haven, CT 06510 he : (COMMISSION AND TENANTS: UNIONS Dear President Walker- Myers; ‘The Fair Rent Commission and Office ofthe Corporation Counsel are submiting to you and the honorable members of the Board of Alder this Petition to adopt amendments to the ordinances related tothe Fait Rent Commision This. proposed amendment would recognize tenants” ions and identify roles fr the unions within the Fair Rent Commission investigation and complain process ‘The proposed amendment specifically contains the following 1. Definition of tenats* union’ and “tenants” union representative.” 2. Codification ofthe role of tenants" unions in the Fair Rent Commission processes; 3. Addit of thee erteria to "Standards pertaining to rental charges” to be considered by the Fair Rent Commission, ‘Submited herewith but not for Board of Alders approval are related proposed Regulations to be approved by the Fair Rent Commission to implement the proposed amendment if passed Tink you for your ine consideration, Very ty yours, Prveia King Patricia King Corporation Counsel CCC: Albert Lucas, Director of Legislative Serviceswile ‘FAIR RENT COMMISSION & TENANTS’ UNIONS ‘PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN ORDINANCES body WHEREAS, membership ina “terants' union” may provide a defense against retaliatory evictions under Conneticut General Statues § 473-20; and WHEREAS, ‘tenants’ union” is mentioned in the plain language of General Statutes § 472-20, but is not defined or discussed anywhere else inthe existing laws ofthe State of Connecticut or those of the City of New Havens and WHEREAS, there ace self declared “tenants unions” being formed by residents ofthe City of New Haven; and WHEREAS, porsuant to Cty of New Haven Ordinances § 12 Y-1, the Far Rent Commission exists forthe purpose of controlling and eliminating excessive renal charges on residental property within the City of New Haven; and WHEREAS, the Fair Rent Commission ofthe City of New Haven has the authority to recognize and regulate tenants’ unions consistent with the powers granted to by Connectiewt General Statutes 5 7-148, et seq and WHEREAS, City of New Haven Crdinance § 12 Y8 lists nine criteria to be considered when deciding a complaint before the Commission; and WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statute § 7-148, which is the statute on which Ordinance § 12 eis based, includes the same nie criteria, plus an addtional four criteria, which are not inluded in the ordinance; and WHEREAS, an amendment adding addtional the criteria of General Statutes § 7-148¢ to Ordinance 1§ 12%8 would bring conformity between the City of New Haven Ordinances and Connecticut ‘Genel Statues, as well a reflect the current practices of the Commission to consider all ofthe ‘fiteria permissible under the General Satutes when issuing a decision on a complain before the ‘Commission; ‘Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained tt Chapter 12 % ofthe Ordinances ofthe City of New Haven be amended as follows [proposed amendments i all cap} iy Ordinance § 122-2 Unless the context specially indicates therwite, the meaning of terms wsed inthis chapter shall be a follows: Commizion sll mean the fac rent commission of the City of New Haven, Connecticut. Hourig acommedaton shall mean any building ox stuctute, wholly or in pat, containing living ‘quarters occupied or finly intended for occupancy aa place of residence, with any land of ‘buildings appurtenant thereto and any services, furniture and faites supplied in connection therewith excepe A hospital, convent, monastery, aylim, public institution or college ot Paget of@school dormitory oF ay such accommodation which is operated or used exclusively for chastable or educational purposes. Landlord shall mean any person who leases, subleases, rent, permits or suffers the occupancy of any housing acommodaion, incu pason who manages a ho.sing aecommodsion ‘owned by someone ‘Peso shall mean any individual, frm, company, association, corporation or group. Rent or rena hanes shall mean any consideration, monetary or otherwise, including any ‘bonus, benefit of granity, demanded oF received forthe use or occupancy of any housing accommodation. “Tenant shall mean any person who leates or rents, whether by written or oral lease who in any other legal may occupies any housing accommodation, as a residence for himself and/or his immediate family. \GREEMENT OF A MAJORITY OF EES WITHIN RI CAN OWNER: ‘OCCUPIED HOUSING ACCOMMODATION MAY NOT ORGANIZE A TENANTS! UNION, ANTS! UNI Nis cs z SENANTS" REPRE IN CONNECHION WIJH ANY STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND HEARINGS INVOLVING THAT UNION OR ITS MEMBERS, SUCH PERSON ISNOT REQUIRED TO BE A TENANT OR RESIDENT OF THE HOUSING Tenants unica ur.cor DuatConNioes Tie manor TENANTS To ORGANIZE-TENANTS UNIONS CONSISTENT WITH THIS PTE JON’S RULES. REGULATIONS, AND PROCEDURLS. AT THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF A TENANTS: UNION REPRESENTATIVE, THE COMMISSION MA¥-APTER STUDY AND INVESTIGATION, Mal RDING THE HOUSING LAINT E] {ANTS UNION. THE vege 2 ofCONIMISSION MAY ALSO REEER THOSE FINDINGS TO OTHER CETY DEPARTMENTS OR COMMISSIONS RESPONSIBLE [OR REGULATING HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS WITHIN THE CITY. THE COMMISSION SHA‘ MULG, SOVERNING: CrIVITIL City Ordinance § 12%-8,- Standards pertaining to cental charges. Im making determinations as to whether rental charge is excessive, the commission shall give due consideration to the following: (0) Rents chasged for the same number of rooms in other housing accommodations within the city, {@) The sanitary conditions in the housing accommodations in question; (9) The number of bathtubs, or showers, flush water closets, kitchen sinks, and lavatory ‘basins available tothe occupant thereof, (4) Services, furieue, furnishings and equipment supplied with said housing ‘accommodations by the landlord; (6) Size and number of bedrooms and number of whole bathroom accommodations; (6 Repairs, including the cost of same, necessary to make such housing accommodation comply with the minimum standards required by the Code ofthe City of New Havens ( Compliance of the housing accommodation with the ordinances ofthe City of New ‘Haven and the General Sextus and regulations ofthe State of Connecticut relating to health and safety, (8 Amount of taxes and overhead expenses ofthe landlord; Income of the tenant and availabilty of other accommodations for him and his immediate family ran RTE r ee a en eee A ance (OTHER THAN ORDINARY WEAR AND TEAR: i ‘ QUENCY OF INt GQ. WHETHER, ANDTHE EXTENT TO WHICH, THE: INCOMEEROMAN INCREASE IN RENTAL CHARGES HAS BELN OR WILLBE REINVESTED IN IMPROVEMENTS TOTHL ACCOM NS. Page 3 ofPage dofPRIOR NOTIFICATION FORM NOTICE OF MATTER TO BE SUBMITTED TO. THE BOARD OF ALDERS TO (lst applicable alders of} ALL. WARD# DATE: 5/31/2022 FROM: — DepartmentOffice _Fair Rent Comm Person Wildaliz Bermudez Telephone (203) 946- 8157 ‘This isto inform you that the following matter affecting your ward(s) will be submitted to the Board of Alders in the ner future: Title ofthe Legislation Fair Rent Commission and Tenants” Union Proposed Amendments to the City of New Haven Ordinances Check one itis an appointnen toa cotmission Democrat Republican [WnattinedindependenOther INSTRUCTIONS TO DEPARTMENTS |. Departs responsible for ending this farm o the lds) affected by the item 2. This formmus be set (or delivered drt the ales) efor it issubmited tthe Legislative Series Office for the Board of Alder egend 5. The dt entry must be completed withthe date thi form wa sent the alert) 4. Copies alderpeson(s): sponsoring deparment anaced to submission 10 Board a Aer, RRR i RETRACT ORGION TROT eed TREFISCAL are: 5/31/2022 FROM (Dept) Foie Rent Commission conracr: cone (203) 90638157 SUBMISSION ITEM (Title of Leg Fair Rent Commission and Tenants’ Union Proposed Amendments tothe City of New Haven Ordinances Uist Cost: Describe nas much detail as possible both personnel and nompersonnel costs, ‘general, capital or special funds; and source of funds currently budgeted fr this purpose. ‘CAPITAL/LINE ITEM/DEPT/ACT/0B1 CODE GENERAL _SPECIAL__BOND ‘A. Personnel 2. nia startup 2. One-time ° 3. Annual ° 8. Nompersonnel 2. nia start up o 2. One-time ° 3. Annual ° LUst Revenues: Will this item result in any revenues forthe City? If Yes, please lst amount and type. no [ir ves 1. One-time 2. Annual (Other Comments