Greenwich, Conn., Town Code ch. 2, art. 18 § 2-138

Determination of excessive rent

In Force

Verified 11/11/2026 · Next check 12/11/2026

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) Rents of Comparable Type Dwelling Units. The rents charged for the same number of rooms in other housing accommodations in the same neighborhood and in other areas of the municipality.
(2) Sanitary Conditions. The sanitary conditions existing in the housing accommodations in question.
(3) Plumbing Facilities. The number of bathtubs or showers, flush waste closets, kitchen sinks and lavatory basins available to the occupants.
(4) Facilities and Services. Services, furniture, furnishings and equipment supplied with the housing accommodations, parking, proximity to public transit, building age, and types of amenities.
(5) Occupancy. The size and number of bedrooms and the number of occupants of the housing accommodations.
(6) Necessary Repairs. Repairs necessary to make such accommodations reasonably livable for the occupants.
(7) Landlord's Costs. Reasonable landlord costs including, but not limited to, the amount of taxes, overhead expenses, and capital improvements.
(8) Health and Safety. Whether the accommodations are in compliance with the ordinances of the Town and the state statutes relating to health and safety that relates to the habitability of the unit.
(9) Income and Availability. The documented income and assets of the petitioner and other occupants and the availability of alternative accommodations.
(10) Utilities. The availability of utilities.
(11) Tenant Caused Damage. Damages done to the premises by the tenant other than ordinary wear and tear.
(12) History of Rent Increases and Rent Payments. The amount and frequency of increases in rental charges and rental payment history.
(13) Property Reinvestment. 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.
(14) Rate of Inflation. The Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the northeast region local market.
(b) Nothing set forth in subsection (a) shall preclude the Commission from considering other relevant circumstances.
(c) The rent of a tenant protected by C.G.S. § 47a-23c (a tenant of a building or complex with five (5) or more units and who is either: Sixty-two (62) years or older, or whose defined family member is sixty-two (62) years or older and permanently resides with tenant; or, a person with a defined physical or mental disability, or whose family member has a defined physical or mental disability and permanently resides with tenant) who files a complaint with the Commission pursuant to § 47a-23c(c)(2) may be increased only to the extent that such increase is fair and equitable, based on the criteria set forth in C.G.S. § 7-148c.

Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim

Plain English

Greenwich Town Code ch. 2, art. 18 § 2-138 establishes the framework the Greenwich Commission uses to decide whether a rent charge or proposed rent increase is so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable. The Commission weighs up to fourteen enumerated factors—ranging from comparable rents and sanitary conditions to the landlord's costs and the rate of inflation—and may also consider any other relevant circumstances. A special standard applies to protected tenants under Connecticut General Statutes § 47a-23c, including residents aged 62 or older and those with qualifying disabilities, whose rent may be raised only to the extent that is fair and equitable under state criteria.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 11, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 2-138, operators facing a complaint before the Greenwich Commission should be prepared to document the factors most relevant to their property, such as capital improvements, tax and overhead costs, reinvestment of rental income, and compliance with health and safety ordinances. Because the Commission may consider any relevant circumstance beyond the fourteen listed, maintaining thorough records of rent history, repair expenditures, and comparable market rents in the neighborhood supports a well-rounded presentation. Properties with tenants who qualify for protection under C.G.S. § 47a-23c—such as residents 62 or older or those with qualifying disabilities—are subject to a heightened fairness standard, so landlords generally document the equitable basis for any proposed increase affecting those households.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Section 2-138 gives tenants the right to have a rent charge or proposed increase reviewed by the Greenwich Commission against a broad set of factors, including the condition of the unit, available services, and the history of rent increases. Tenants who are 62 or older, have a qualifying family member of that age living with them, or have a qualifying physical or mental disability may file a complaint under C.G.S. § 47a-23c(c)(2), triggering a stricter fair-and-equitable standard for any rent increase. Tenants seeking to understand whether a rent increase may qualify as excessive under § 2-138 can contact the Commission directly, review the Town Code, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.

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.