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FAIR
RENT COMMISSION
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CITY OF NORWALK
FAIR RENT COMMISSION
APRIL 4, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Richard Booth, Chair; Martin Bernard, Vice Chair;
Patricia Genuario; Mary Geake; John Church; Stacy Parrigin;
Maria Borges-Lopez
STAFF: Lawrence Patterson
Mr. Booth called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 2007 MINUTES
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes and made two minor corrections.
** MS. GENUARIO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS AMENDED
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Booth reported that several candidates have been interviewed, but there is a ways to go yet. He said that he hoped the interview process would be over within the next couple of weeks. It appears that the Mayor would like to get this resolved and have someone in place soon.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Patterson reported that he met with the Board of Estimate in February regarding the budget. That went very smoothly which translated into a 1.4% increase to the two departments.
Mr. Patterson said that there have been a few isolated cases of bedbugs. He will provide more information next month. Bedbugs are smaller than roaches and are difficult to exterminate. He said that they are rounder than flees but similar in size. The Commissioners discussed the problems surrounding bedbug infestations.
Mr. Patterson said that he is going to a housing conference in Hartford. He presented and reviewed several articles that addressed various issues of interest to the Commission.
As far as statistics, Mr. Patterson said that they have maintained a constant amount of client activity. He said that they were so busy in March, that they have not been able to compile the statistics.
Mr. Patterson reviewed the number of contacts in the Fair Rent and Human Relations departments. He described the intake process. He said that 95% of his work is Fair Rent and 5% is Human Relations.
Mr. Patterson said that they started planning the Diversity Day in October. It involved many outside agencies and organizations.
Mr. Patterson said that he and Nilsa strive to advocate the word “fair” in Fair Rent. Many times the landlord feels that the laws are slanted against them. He said that there is a need for landlord/tenant informational seminars.
Mr. Patterson said that many Commissioners have been very quick to volunteer to accompany him on inspections.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF OPEN CASE
1555-06 Gaby, 1 Elmcrest Terrace
Mr. Patterson said that this was a case of a rent increase of $35.00 per month. The tenant lost the hearing and appealed and after they did, the City filed their response in October. He said that he called and found out that they were having a pre-trial hearing. A lot of time and energy has been spent on this case for a $35.00 a month increase.
This case is still open and pending.
1561-06 Valenzuela, 15 Burritt Avenue
Mr. Patterson said that this case was heard. The tenants moved out in October. As of today, they got their security deposit back with interest. Mr. Patterson recommended closing this case.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO CLOSE THE CASE
** MS. PARRIGIN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
1566-06 Nirschel, 22 Lenox Avenue (right)
Mr. Patterson said that the Health Department was going to have the landlady arrested because the work is still not completed. Even the threat of arrest has not moved the landlady. Any repairs that were made were poorly done.
There was no action taken.
1567-07 Esposito, 93 Richards Avenue, Unit #704
There was no action taken.
1565-06 Avalos, 19 Quintard Avenue #2
Mr. Patterson reported that as of last month all of the repairs were done. The landlord was arrested and had to make two court appearances. Mr. Patterson said that he had to visit the property several times. The situation is now under control. Last month the Commission voted that the escrow would be released once the work has been completed.
The tenant was paying $1,400 last year; the landlord requested a $200.00 increase. Mr. Patterson asked the Commission to make a determination on what they want to do with the rent. The tenant now has a nice apartment and had been paying $1,400 a month since 2004.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO INCREASE THE MONTHLY RENT TO $1,500, FOR THE MONTHS
OF APRIL TO SEPTEMBER (6 MONTHS)
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
1564-06 Richmond, 19 Quintard Avenue #1
Mr. Patterson reported that this is the other case at this same address. The landlord wanted to raise the rent to $1,450. This apartment needed repairs as well. Mr. Richmond and his wife have lived there over 30 years. He had a reduced rent because he did a lot of the repairs himself.
The most pressing problem with this unit was the leak in the upstairs bedroom ceiling. He said that there were also multiple leaks oozing into the rooms on the second floor of the apartment from the gutters that had not been cleaned by the landlord. Mr. Richmond cleaned the gutters. Mr. Patterson said that he explained to Mr. Richmond that the landlord was responsible for cleaning out the gutters.
Mr. Patterson said that Mr. Capuano went there this morning and at this point there are no leaks.
The Commissioners expressed their concern about releasing the escrow until all of the repairs were completed and there were no further leaks.
Mr. Patterson said that this case needed to be discussed. The tenant had been paying $1,100 a month since 2004. His rent had been escrowed at $1,000 a month and the Commission will continue to escrow his rent and re-visit this case in May.
Mr. Patterson recommended increasing the rent to $1,300 or $1,350, considering that Mr. Richmond has maintained the apartment beautifully over the past 30 years. The Commissioners discussed this recommendation.
** MS. GENUARIO MOVED TO SET THE RENT AT $1,300 A MONTH FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER
ON THE CONDITION THAT ALL OF THE FINAL REPAIRS INCLUDING THE SLOPE ON THE LANDING
IN THE ATTIC BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF BY THE STAFF BEFORE APRIL 24TH
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
PRESENTATION OF NEW CASES
1568-07 New Case – Hudson, 93 Richards Avenue, Unit #206
Mr. Patterson said that the tenant originally had a $148.00 increase and the management negotiated it down to a $92.00 increase.
** MR. CHURCH MOVED TO HEAR THIS CASE
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
1569-07 New Case – Garcia, 93 Richards Avenue, Unit #212
Mr. Patterson said that this tenant originally had a rent increase of $409.00 and it was negotiated down to $202.00 a month. The rent used to include a storage unit and two parking spaces. Now they do not have the storage unit and they are being charged for the parking spaces. With that decrease, the services were diminished.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO HEAR THIS CASE
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. GENUARIO MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MR. CHURCH SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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