East Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-100
Determination of excessive rent
Operative Text
(a) In determining whether a rental charge or a proposed increase in a rental charge is so excessive, with due regard to all the circumstances, as to be harsh and unconscionable, the commission shall consider such of the following circumstances as are applicable to the type of accommodation: (1) The rents charged for the same number of rooms in other housing accommodations in the same and in other areas of the municipality. (2) The sanitary conditions existing in the housing accommodations in question. (3) The number of bathtubs or showers, toilets, kitchen sinks, and lavatory basins available to the occupants thereof. (4) Services, furniture, furnishings, and equipment supplied therein. (5) The size and number of bedrooms contained therein. (6) Repairs necessary to make such accommodations reasonably livable for the occupants accommodated therein. (7) The amount of taxes and overhead expenses thereof. (8) Whether the accommodations are in compliance with the ordinances of the Town of East Haven and the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut relating to health and safety. (9) The income of the petitioner and the availability of accommodations. (10) The availability of utilities. (11) Damage done to the premises by the tenant, caused by other than ordinary wear and tear. (12) The amount and frequency of increases in rental charges. (13) Whether, and the extent to which, the income from an increase in rental charges has been or will be reinvested in improvements to the accommodations. Nothing in this section shall preclude the commission from considering other relevant circumstances. (b) The commission has the power to dismiss a complaint if it is determined that the tenant who is bringing the complaint is doing so for the purpose of harassing, annoying, or embarrassing the landlord.
East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-100 establishes a multi-factor framework that the East Haven commission uses to evaluate whether a rent charge or proposed rent increase is so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable. The commission weighs a broad range of circumstances — including comparable rents in the area, property conditions, services provided, tax burdens, tenant income, and the history of rent increases — and is not limited to only those listed factors. The provision also gives the commission authority to dismiss a complaint if it finds the tenant filed it to harass, annoy, or embarrass the landlord rather than to address a genuine grievance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII § 2-100, operators who set or increase rents in a way that could be reviewed by the commission generally maintain documentation supporting the reasonableness of their charges — such as records of taxes and overhead, capital improvements funded by rental income, compliance with local health and safety ordinances, and the condition and amenities of the unit. Because the commission considers the amount and frequency of past increases alongside reinvestment in the property, landlords who keep clear records of maintenance expenditures and improvement projects are better positioned to demonstrate that a rent level reflects legitimate costs. Awareness of comparable rents in the same and other areas of East Haven is also relevant to how the commission frames its analysis.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 2-100 of East Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. VII gives tenants a path to challenge a rent charge or proposed increase they believe is harsh and unconscionable by bringing a complaint before the East Haven commission. The commission will weigh factors such as the condition of the unit, available services and amenities, the landlord's overhead, and the history of rent increases when evaluating the complaint. Tenants who believe a charge may be excessive can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to better understand how the commission's multi-factor review process works and what documentation may be relevant to a complaint 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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