New London ― The city has drafted an ordinance to create a commission that could prevent unreasonable rent increases and uphold housing codes.

The move comes as Public Act 22-20 last year mandated towns with a population greater than 25,000 to adopt a fair rent commission ordinance by July 1. A fair rent commission is a municipal board of volunteers that can hold hearings and makes decisions in response to tenant complaints.

But this type of commission is not new in the state.

The Fair Rent Commission Act has existed in the state for more than 50 years, and two dozen towns and cities, such as Hartford, Groton and Colchester, already have them in place. Colchester has a population of 5,147.

A fair rent commission can deny an “unconscionable rent” increase and reduce the rent to a fair price, phase-in a rent increase, or delay a rent increase until housing code violations are fixed. It can also deny a tenant’s claim.

Raphael Podolsky is a lawyer with Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., a non-profit that helps people with low incomes in civil matters. The non-profit took part in creating a tool kit on fair rent commission practices with Partnerships for Strong Communities to provide to local municipalities.

Podolsky said a fair rent commission “can mitigate the impact of a rising housing market” and protect tenants, and it is not the same as a rent control board.

He said a rent control board regulates all rentals in a market while a fair rent commission works on individual complaints dealing with rental charges that are “harsh and unconscionable.” Podolsky said most of the complaints are usually about rent increases.

Podolsky said the commission proves or disproves complaints looking at multiple factors such as the landlord’s costs, rents of other similar apartments in the area and building conditions. He said most cases are resolved before they go to a hearing.

“Evictions cost time and money,” he said. “The advantage for landlords is it resolves issues with having to go into the court system.”

The City Council on Monday held its first of three readings on the draft ordinance. The ordinance as of now states the commission will consist of three members and two alternates, all of which will be city residents. Of the three regular members, at least one will be a landlord and one a tenant.

The members and alternates would be appointed by the mayor and serve three-year terms.

Multiple city councilors expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of a fair rent commission including James Burke, who said he’s glad the city is starting the process.

Burke said he would like to see further discussions on having a mix of commission members appointed by the City Council and the mayor. He said if the number of commission members could be expanded, he’d like to see more tenant representation.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the ordinance and two more readings before it is enacted.

j.vazquez@theday.com