Eighty-Three Percent of Connecticut’s Residents Now Have Access to a Fair Rent Commission

Fair Rent Commission (FRCs) requirements were expanded during Connecticut’s 2025, special legislative session, by lowering the population threshold for requiring FRCs. This change now requires an additional 33 municipalities to establish a Fair Rent Commission (FRC).  

FRCs have existed for decades, but prior to 2020, many had been dormant. In 2022, municipalities with over 25,000 people were required to establish FRCs. This requirement resulted in 43 towns being required to implement FRCs.* These commissions serve 65% of people living in Connecticut.

Now, municipalities with over 15,000 people are required to establish FRCs, add 33 more towns that are requred to have FRCs, for a total of 76. This expansion increases tenant protections to almost 3 million people, representing 83% of Connecticut residents.* These smaller towns can join regional commissions in lieu of establishing their own commission.

The FRCs protect tenants from an increase in rent that is “harsh and unconscionable.” They give tenants an opportunity to have their rent charges and fees assessed by a commission and determine if the cost of rent is fair. According to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Fair Rent Commissions have the authority to stop unconscionable rent increases, reduce rent to a fair level, phase-in a rent increase, or delay a rent increase if repairs are needed.

CTData is currently supporting data work with Connecticut’s Fair Rent Commission Network. If you have any questions about this work, please contact Fionnuala Darby-Hudgens, at fdh@ctdata.org.

* Additional towns opted to create FRCs even though they did not meet the threshold to be required to do so. These towns that opted in are not included in this analysis as of November 18, 2025.

For More Information

For more analysis related to housing, including the Partnership for Strong Communities Housing Profiles, the Evictions Map, and many other housing resources, explore our Housing Data by Topic page. Access data sets and analysis at data by topic and data projects, explore the resources we provide, or sign up to receive information about workshops, data releases, blog posts and more in our newsletter. For training and tips on how to use data, register for one of our CTData Academy workshops or browse our blog. And be sure to connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.