Greenwich, CT Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

The Fair Rent Commission, created under Code of Ordinances §§ 2-136 through 2-143, takes tenant complaints on a form supplied by the Department of Human Services. Under § 2-139(a), within five business days of receipt the Commission must notify both the tenant and the landlord by first-class mail (and email if available), tell them the landlord cannot retaliate for the filing, and confirm the tenant must keep paying the last agreed rent while the case is pending so a non-payment eviction cannot be started against a tenant who does so.

Section 2-139(b) requires the parties to first attempt informal mediation with Human Services staff within thirty days of filing; if that fails, a hearing is set within thirty more days, with ten days' written notice by first-class and certified mail. The Commission must decide at the closing hearing or within thirty days after. Under § 2-140(b), if the Commission finds after a hearing that the housing accommodation fails to comply with any Town ordinance or state statute or regulation relating to health and safety, it can order the tenant's rent suspended or abated until the landlord makes the necessary repairs, with rent paid into escrow during non-compliance and released once the landlord complies. Appeals of any Commission order go to Superior Court at Stamford within thirty days under § 2-141.