If Your Rent Is Too High, You Can Appeal To New Southington Board

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Local leaders Monday evening easily passed a new ordinance creating a town body that can intervene in tenant-landlord disputes regarding rent.

After a public hearing showed nothing but support for creating the Southington Fair Rent Commission, the council voted 9-0 to officially create one.

"I'm glad that we were able to work on this. It is important for our town. I think the ordinance is fair and it's really going to work well," Councilperson Valerie A. DePaolo, a Democrat said.

DePaolo and Republican Paul Chaplinsky, Jr., the council's vice chairman, cooperated together and helped draft and redraft the document that, ultimately, was approved Monday night.

Both were feted by colleagues from both sides of the political aisle Monday.

"I want to thank the whole council for meaningful conversation and input. I look forward to us moving forward unanimously," Victoria Triano, the council's Republican chairperson, said.

Last month, the council finalized a draft list of regulations forming the commission and sent it to town-hired attorneys for legal review.

The council Nov. 14 discussed several small details associated with the draft and did some language tweaking before, ultimately, sending it out for further legal review by consensus.

Two weeks later, Nov. 28, the council scheduled Monday's public hearing. After the hearing was closed, the council easily approved the measure.

The ordinance outlines who can serve on the commission, for how long and what the commission will legally be allowed to do.

Among the highlights are:

• The purpose for the commission is to review and determine if a landlord inflicts "harsh and unconscionable rental charges for housing accommodations within the town."

• The commission would have five members and three alternates, all of whom shall be Southington residents and/or employees.

At least one should be a residential landlord and another a tenants. The appointed terms would be for four years.

• The commission would receive complaints from tenants and, following a hearing and subsequent investigation, could determine if the rent is fair or not and order it slashed, among other duties.

Prior to the vote, only supporters of the ordinance spoke at the public hearing Monday night.

"I want to thank you, especially, for how you've gone through this process. I know there was difficulties and disagreements, but I'm very pleased with some of the compromises that have been made," said Kenneth D. Delohery of Riverside Drive.

He asked those chosen for the commission be fair to both tenants and landlords and work objectively.

Regina Coviello of Beecher Street also complimented the council.

"I know that you all worked hard to come up with something that would be fair for tenants and landlords," she said. "You did a great job."

Now that the ordinance is official, it must be advertised. Then, the council can start appointing members to the commission.

It's hoped that this can begin by January at the council's second meeting that month.

"I'm very happy that we are moving forward at a good rate of speed to get it in place," Triano said.

To see the Town of Southington notice of approval, click on this link.

To read the full Southington Fair Rent Commission ordinance, click on this link.

From Dec. 11: 'Southington To Host Hearing On Fair Rent Commission'