Torrington, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-4
Holding rents in escrow
Operative Text
If the Commission determines after a hearing that a housing accommodation fails to comply with any municipal ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety, the Commission may order the suspension or reduction of further payment of rent by the tenant until such time as the landlord makes the necessary changes, repairs or installations so as to bring the housing accommodation into compliance with such laws, statutes, or regulations. If the Commission's order constitutes a complete suspension of all rent, the rent during such period shall be paid to the Commission to be held in escrow, subject to such ordinances or provisions as may be adopted by the town, city, or borough. Any rents held in escrow shall be held by the City Treasurer in a separate, non-interest bearing account established by him/her for that purpose until such time as the landlord makes the necessary changes, repairs or installations so as to bring such housing accommodation into compliance with such ordinance, statute or regulation at which time, after notice and hearing, the Commission shall determine to whom and in what amounts the escrow shall be distributed.
Under Torrington Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-4, when the Commission finds after a formal hearing that a rental unit violates health or safety laws, it has the authority to suspend or reduce a tenant's rent obligation until the landlord brings the property into compliance. If the Commission orders a full rent suspension, those payments are redirected to the Commission and held in escrow by the City Treasurer in a dedicated, non-interest-bearing account rather than going to the landlord. Once the landlord completes the required repairs, the Commission holds another hearing to decide how the escrowed funds are distributed and to whom.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Torrington Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-4 should understand that a Commission finding of noncompliance with health or safety standards can result in a formal order suspending or reducing rent collection. Compliant operators generally maintain their units in continuous compliance with applicable municipal ordinances and state statutes so that Commission hearings do not result in escrow orders. Promptly completing any required repairs or installations is the path toward a Commission determination that escrowed funds can be released, following the notice-and-hearing process outlined in § 24-4.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Torrington Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-4 establishes a formal mechanism through which tenants may have rent suspended or reduced when a housing accommodation is found to violate health or safety requirements after a Commission hearing. If a full suspension is ordered, rent payments are held in escrow by the City Treasurer rather than being forfeited, meaning those funds remain subject to a future distribution determination. Tenants who believe their unit has health or safety violations may wish to explore filing a complaint with the Commission or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand how the hearing process under § 24-4 might apply to their circumstances.
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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