Hamden, Conn., Mun. Code Ch. 33 §§ 33.70–33.88 § 33.72
MEMBERSHIP
Operative Text
(A) The Commission shall consist of seven members, all of whom shall be electors of the town, and shall be composed of two landlord members, two tenant members, and three members who are electors of the town but are neither landlords nor tenants. The members shall be appointed as set forth in Charter § 7-1 .C and the composition of the Commission shall be subject to the provision of Charter § 7-1 .B(7). (B) In addition, the mayor shall appoint three electors to serve as alternates, who shall be one landlord, one tenant, and one person other than a landlord or tenant, subject to approval of the legislative council. Any alternates shall act in the place of a regular member who is either absent from a meeting or disqualified from serving or when otherwise required by the Commission in the exercise of its duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at no time shall more than two landlord or tenant representatives be present on a panel. (C) Any regular or alternate member of the Commission who fails to maintain the status (either landlord, tenant, or elector) that he or she had upon appointment shall cease to be a member of the Commission effective immediately, subject to removal. The mayor, subject to the approval of the legislative council, may remove any regular or alternate member of the Commission for good cause, including the failure to attend three consecutive meetings of the Commission. (Ord. 187, passed 11-5-79; Am. Ord. 320, passed 10-7-91; Am. Ord. 734, passed 1-17-23)
Section 33.72 of Hamden's Fair Rent Commission ordinance establishes the structure and composition of the seven-member Commission, which must include two landlord representatives, two tenant representatives, and three neutral electors. The mayor appoints three alternates — one from each category — who step in when regular members are absent or disqualified, though no panel may ever have more than two landlord or tenant representatives at once. Members who lose the qualifying status they held at appointment are immediately removed, and the mayor may also remove any member for cause, including missing three consecutive meetings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 33.72, landlord members and alternates on the Hamden Fair Rent Commission are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the legislative council, and they must continuously maintain their status as landlords to remain seated. Property owners who serve or are nominated for a Commission seat generally ensure they retain their landlord status throughout their term and attend meetings consistently, since three consecutive absences constitute grounds for removal. Understanding this structure helps landlords recognize how the Commission is balanced and how decisions affecting rental properties in Hamden are made.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 33.72 guarantees that tenant voices are formally represented on the Hamden Fair Rent Commission through two appointed tenant members and one tenant alternate, creating a built-in balance with landlord and neutral representatives. Tenants interacting with the Commission can note that no panel is permitted to seat more than two landlord or tenant representatives at a time, which is a structural protection against imbalance in any given proceeding. Tenants who have concerns about the Commission's composition or the qualifications of its members may raise those concerns with the Commission itself or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Hamden's Ch. 33 framework.
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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