New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-9
Tenants' unions
Operative Text
The commission recognizes the right of tenants to organize tenants' unions consistent with this chapter and the commission's rules, regulations, and procedures. At the written request of a tenants' union representative, the commission may, after study and investigation, make findings regarding the housing accommodation of that tenants' union, consistent with any of the standards pertaining to rental charges in section 12 ¾-8. The commission may rely on such findings when reaching a decision on a complaint filed by a member of that tenants' union. The commission may also refer those findings to other city departments or committees responsible for regulating housing accommodations within the city. The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the activities of tenants' unions before the commission. Tenants' Union Membership Roster . The tenants' union representative(s) shall submit an updated membership roster to fair rent commission staff on a yearly basis following the recognition of the tenants' union by the fair rent commission.
New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12¾ § 12¾-9 formally recognizes tenants' right to form and operate tenants' unions under the oversight of the Fair Rent Commission. Upon a written request from a union representative, the Commission may investigate a building's housing conditions and develop findings related to rental charge standards, which can then inform decisions on individual complaints or be shared with other city departments. Tenants' unions are also required to submit an updated membership roster to Fair Rent Commission staff on a yearly basis after the Commission has recognized the union.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12¾ § 12¾-9, property owners and managers should be aware that the Fair Rent Commission is empowered to investigate a building's housing conditions at the request of a recognized tenants' union representative and may share its findings with other city departments that regulate housing. Findings generated through this process can be used as a basis for decisions on complaints filed by union members, meaning that conditions across an entire building may come under scrutiny through a single union-initiated request. Operators who maintain housing accommodations in compliance with the rental charge standards in § 12¾-8 are generally better positioned when such investigations occur.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12¾-9 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances gives tenants the right to organize a tenants' union that the Fair Rent Commission formally recognizes, and a union representative can submit a written request asking the Commission to investigate and make findings about conditions in the building. Those findings can support complaints filed by individual union members and may also be referred to other city agencies responsible for housing oversight. Tenants interested in forming or joining a union, or in understanding how union-initiated findings might relate to a complaint, may wish to contact the Fair Rent Commission directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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