East Lyme residents gathered in the town hall cheered when the Board of Selectmen voted to form a Fair Rent Commission.
The decision came weeks after a call to action by residents.
The Board of Selectmen first began discussing the formation of a Fair Rent Commission after residents of a Niantic apartment complex spoke out against proposed rent increases of up to $900.
Residents of the Windward Village apartment complex were alarmed when the place of residence was who sought to increase the rent.
The commision will be able to intervene if tenants consider a rent increase excessive. It will also have the ability to protect disabled and elderly renters from unfair rent hike.
Board of Selectmen member Jason Deeble thanked residents for advocating so heavily in favor of the commission鈥檚 formation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 incumbent upon us as town leaders to create a venue where people can work out their differences and give both sides a seat at the table and a place to discuss issues that doesn鈥檛 feel out of balance, doesn鈥檛 feel like someone鈥檚 being harassed, doesn鈥檛 feel like someone is operating under the threat of homelessness,鈥� Deeble said.
For communities without commissions residents may file a lawsuit against the landlord, or petition the municipality to form a Fair Rent Commission.
Next, the Board will have to appoint members to the commission and determine who from the town offices will lead the operation.
The process was a refreshing change from the often slow-moving government process for Board of Selectmen member Don MacKenzie.
鈥淭his happened very quickly, because it鈥檚 needed. It鈥檚 not a guarantee,鈥� MacKenzie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a guarantee but you have no idea how hard this team has worked in getting this thing through for you, and for everybody.鈥�
