Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-186
Retaliation
Operative Text
(a) No landlord shall engage in retaliatory actions. Retaliatory actions by a landlord include but are not limited to the following: (1) Engaging in any action prohibited by G.S. § 47a-20 or G.S. § 21-80a within six (6) months after any event listed in such statutes, including but not limited to within six (6) months after the tenant has filed a complaint with the commission; (2) Refusing to renew the lease or other rental agreement of any tenant; bringing or maintaining an action or proceeding against the tenant to recover possession of the dwelling unit; demanding an increase in rent from the tenant; decreasing the services to which the tenant has previously been entitled; or verbally, physically or sexually harassing a tenant because a tenant has filed a complaint with the fair rent commission; (3) Engaging in any other action determined by the commission, after a hearing, to constitute landlord retaliation as set forth in G.S. § 7-148d(b). (b) In the initial notice scheduling a hearing or conciliation on a complaint, and in its notice of decision, the commission shall include notice, in plain language, to landlords and tenants that retaliatory actions against tenants are prohibited. (c) Any tenant who claims that the action of his or her landlord constitutes retaliatory action may file a notice of such claim with the commission. If the commission determines, after a hearing, which hearing shall be expedited, that a landlord has retaliated in any manner against a tenant because the tenant has complained to the commission, the commission may order the landlord to cease and desist from such conduct and order the landlord to withdraw or remediate such conduct as has already occurred.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-186 prohibits landlords from taking adverse actions against tenants in response to the tenant exercising protected rights, such as filing a complaint with the fair rent commission. Retaliatory conduct can include refusing to renew a lease, seeking eviction, raising rent, reducing services, or engaging in harassment. The commission is required to notify both landlords and tenants about this anti-retaliation rule in its hearing and decision notices, and it has authority to order a landlord to stop and reverse retaliatory conduct after an expedited hearing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-186, compliant property owners and managers are careful to ensure that any lease non-renewal, rent increase, service change, or eviction proceeding is grounded in legitimate, documented business or legal reasons entirely unrelated to a tenant's complaint activity. Operators generally maintain clear records of the timing and rationale behind any changes to a tenancy so that decisions made within six months of a tenant's commission complaint can be explained on neutral grounds. Landlords should also be aware that the commission will explicitly notify them of this anti-retaliation rule in any hearing or conciliation notice they receive.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-186 gives tenants the right to file a notice of retaliation claim directly with the fair rent commission if they believe a landlord has taken adverse action because they filed a complaint. The commission is required to expedite the hearing on such a claim, and if retaliation is found, it can order the landlord to cease the conduct and undo actions already taken. Tenants who believe they may be experiencing retaliation can also reach out to local tenant-rights organizations to better understand the complaint process and the protections available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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