09/10/26 Fair Rent Commission

The Town of Fairfield Connecticut Fair Rent Commission held a meeting on September 10, 2026, to hear a tenant-landlord dispute involving a rent increase and unresolved mice infestation issues. The tenant alleged inadequate landlord response to a persistent mice problem, including failure to seal entry points and clean droppings, and claimed the landlord retaliated by increasing rent from $2,000 to $2,200 after the tenant filed a health department complaint. The landlord responded that exterior entry points had been sealed, exterminators were engaged promptly, and the rent increase was due to a 100% property tax hike. The commission reviewed evidence and testimony, noting the tenant had paid the original rent during the dispute and that the upstairs unit was rented for $2,100. After deliberation, the commission approved the rent increase to $2,200 conditioned on the health department closing any active investigations related to the property. They clarified they lacked authority over security deposit disputes and encouraged better communication of exterminator reports between landlord and tenant. The commission emphasized the landlord's responsibility to maintain a safe and habitable property and planned to follow up with the health department to ensure compliance.