Commission Holds First Hearing On Rent Hike Complaints

By John McNamara

NEW BRITAIN – The first of seven scheduled hearings in June by the Fair Rent Commission was held Tuesday, June 13th over rent increase complaints involving a West Main Street apartment complex.

Anibal Garcia and Reina Torres, 34-year residents of an apartment at 923 West Main Street, are seeking relief from a jump in their monthly rent from $1,075 to $1,400. The 2023 increase follows an increase in 2022 from $970 to $1,025 amounting to a 44 percent increase over two years.

Under state law and the city ordinance enacted in 2012 the Fair Rent Commission has the authority “to ensure that rental charges are not harsh and unconscionable.” 

The commission heard testimony from Torres and Garcia, who submitted wage and earnings information and their rent increase notices. Torres said the size of the increase is “unfair” and exceeds their ability to pay it. “In my job they do not give me an increase,” Torres said.

Amaryliss Soto, the property manager representing Nine Hundred Twenty Three West Main LLC, said the landlord is making renovations to apartments and common areas at the 72 unit complex as a justification for the increases. She presented photos and information about improvements that are being made and indicated the new rent levels are average for the one- and two bedroom apartments in the area.

Under questioning by the commission, Soto said the two bedroom unit where Garcia and Torres reside is not one of the apartments being renovated but that she verbally offered another upgraded unit to the couple. Garcia and Torres maintained that they deserve to stay in the same place where they have lived and raised a family for more than 30 years. They said they have encountered waiting lists in seeking affordable housing elsewhere.

The two-building apartment complex on West Main Street, built in 1969, was purchased in 2016 by Cedarhurst, NY-based Nine Hundred Twenty Three West Main LLC from Allen-Main Associates. The complex includes 72 apartments.

The commissioners will review testimony and evidence submitted by both parties and will make a decision at the June 27th meeting on what if any increase will be allowed.

Two other hearings scheduled for June 13th were laid over to the Commission’s June 27th meeting when tenants did not appear. That leaves six hearings still to be heard for June 27th all of which involve rent hikes at 923 West Main Street.

The June 27th meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall, 27 West Main Street, Room 201.

Fair Rent Commission: How To File A Complaint
Contact Jerrell Hargraves, 27 West Main Street 06051
Tel: (860) 826-3410 | Email: [email protected]

Related story: https://newbritainindependent.com/blog/2023/05/24/commission-schedules-hearings-over-double-digit-rent-hikes/

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