Hamden Approves Drastic Changes to Student Housing Permits

In an effort to cut down on the number of absentee landlords renting homes to students in residential neighborhoods, the Hamden Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved new regulations that require landlords to live in the house if they rent to students, according to the New Haven Register.

The Register reports the new student housing permit regulations were approved with little discussion and was well received by many in attendance.

“This has been a long time coming. We have waited for this for years,” West Woods Neighborhood Association co-president Cindy Civitello said via the Register. “This is a great way to stop the absentee landlords. We are looking forward to getting this in and getting our neighborhood back.”

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However, not everyone was in agreement.

Chatterton Way resident Margaret Kramer called the proposal “somewhat ridiculous” and said it could give the town a bad name, adding that people “can’t sell their homes because the taxes are too high, not because of the students,” according to the Register.

NBC Connecticut reports that landlords who currently own homes and rent to students will be grandfathered in and do not have to live in their properties. The permits are also transferable if the landlords ever decide to sell their home.

The proposal takes effect immediately for everyone else, according to NBC.

Read more resident reaction, visit the New Haven Register here and NBC Connecticut here.