Mansfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 18 (2026) § 18-4

A. To file a complaint, the tenant may contact the Mansfield Department of Human Services (Department) in person or via email, telephone, or first-class mail. The Department, in consultation with the Commission, shall develop and update as necessary an application form to file a complaint to the Commission. The complaint form shall be available on the Town's website. The form which will include at a minimum: (1) Date complaint received by Department. (2) Tenant's name. (3) Tenant's address. (4) Tenant's phone number. (5) Description of Tenant's Fair Rent complaint. (6) Landlord's name. (7) Landlord's address. (8) Landlord's phone number. B. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Department will notify (in writing, including electronic mail) the Commission, the landlord, and the tenant. The notice will include at minimum: (1) A copy of the complaint. (2) The Department's contact information should either party have questions about the Fair Rent Hearing process. (3) Notification that a hearing will be held within 30 days of the date the Department received the complaint. (4) Notification that the landlord is prohibited from retaliation against the tenant due to the complaint. (5) Notification that until a decision is issued in writing by the Commission, the tenant must pay the last agreed upon rent. (6) Notification that should the Commission issue a decision with the finding that the rent in question is fair, the tenant will be immediately responsible for back payment for rent to the landlord without charges for late payment. (7) Notification that until the Commission issues its written decision, while the tenant continues to pay the last agreed upon rent, an eviction based on non-payment of rent cannot be initiated against the tenant by the landlord. C. If a complaint alleges housing conditions that violate a housing, health, building or other code or statute, the Commission shall notify the appropriate municipal office or agency, which may then concurrently exercise its own powers. In addition, the Commission may request that the appropriate municipal official or agency promptly investigate and provide a report to the Commission. D. If two or more complaints are filed against the same landlord by tenants occupying different rental units in the same building, complex, or mobile home park that appear to raise the same or similar issues, the Commission may consolidate such claims for hearing. E. The Commission or municipal staff may, to the extent practicable, encourage the parties to the complaint to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution through informal conciliation. Municipal staff may serve as informal conciliators. Any agreement to resolve the complaint shall be in writing and signed by the parties. F. A hearing on the complaint shall be scheduled no later than 30 days after the filing of the complaint, unless impracticable. Written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be given to the parties to the complaint at least 10 days' prior to the hearing by first class and certified mail and, if practicable, by electronic mail. G. All parties to a hearing shall have the right to be represented, to cross-examine witnesses, to examine documents introduced into evidence, and to call witnesses and introduce evidence. The testimony taken at a hearing shall be made under oath. Hearings shall be recorded. H. In the event that there is insufficient time to complete a hearing or for other cause, the Commission shall have the power to adjourn the hearing to another time and date. I. No sale, assignment, transfer of the housing accommodation in question or attempt to evict the tenant shall be cause for discontinuing any pending proceeding nor shall it affect the rights, duties and obligations of the Commission or the parties. J. Commission may submit their decision to the Town Attorney for legal review.