Norwalk Fair Rent Commission accepts multiple cases, schedules special hearing for contested Woodward Avenue rent increase
April 09, 2026 | Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut
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The Norwalk Fair Rent Commission reviewed a docket of landlord-tenant complaints at its April meeting and voted to accept most of the new cases for investigation or hearing while closing a few where tenants had vacated.
Attorney Russell Liskov told the panel that case 1877-2653-55, involving a proposed rent increase from $985 to $2,178 for a two-bedroom unit on Woodward Avenue, is unlikely to settle and will require a special hearing in May because "there are probably 200 emails of record back and forth" between the parties. The commission voted to accept the case and asked staff to set a separate hearing date to avoid an overly long regular meeting.
The commission closed case 1875-2534 (Bartlett Avenue, apartment 1) after staff reported the tenant had vacated and failed to return a withdrawal, and closed case 1876-251 (Glover Avenue apartment 222) after the parties filed a new lease and a withdrawal. Several other complaints were accepted for further review, including matters at Bartlett Avenue (1881-2622), Bets Place (1878-2611), Nordin Place (1880-268), West Avenue (multiple PH/unit cases) and Richards Avenue (1885-2696).
Members emphasized that acceptance of a case does not constitute a finding on the merits. Liskov and staff noted that tenants who stop responding can lead to closures for failure to cooperate; in one instance staff said they would attempt phone, text, email and certified mail before closing a file for nonresponse.
The commission generally approved the motions by voice vote. Where staff recommended negotiation (for example, Richards Avenue, where the landlord sought a backdated increase from $2,360 to $2,485), commissioners asked staff to pursue settlement where feasible and to bring contested matters to hearing when they do not resolve.
The panel adjourned at 8:20 p.m. and confirmed that the special hearing for the Woodward Avenue matter will be scheduled separately next month.
Attorney Russell Liskov told the panel that case 1877-2653-55, involving a proposed rent increase from $985 to $2,178 for a two-bedroom unit on Woodward Avenue, is unlikely to settle and will require a special hearing in May because "there are probably 200 emails of record back and forth" between the parties. The commission voted to accept the case and asked staff to set a separate hearing date to avoid an overly long regular meeting.
The commission closed case 1875-2534 (Bartlett Avenue, apartment 1) after staff reported the tenant had vacated and failed to return a withdrawal, and closed case 1876-251 (Glover Avenue apartment 222) after the parties filed a new lease and a withdrawal. Several other complaints were accepted for further review, including matters at Bartlett Avenue (1881-2622), Bets Place (1878-2611), Nordin Place (1880-268), West Avenue (multiple PH/unit cases) and Richards Avenue (1885-2696).
Members emphasized that acceptance of a case does not constitute a finding on the merits. Liskov and staff noted that tenants who stop responding can lead to closures for failure to cooperate; in one instance staff said they would attempt phone, text, email and certified mail before closing a file for nonresponse.
The commission generally approved the motions by voice vote. Where staff recommended negotiation (for example, Richards Avenue, where the landlord sought a backdated increase from $2,360 to $2,485), commissioners asked staff to pursue settlement where feasible and to bring contested matters to hearing when they do not resolve.
The panel adjourned at 8:20 p.m. and confirmed that the special hearing for the Woodward Avenue matter will be scheduled separately next month.
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