HARTFORD, Conn. — City officials in the Capital City are cracking down on landlords, specifically landlords who aren't taking care of their properties.
Hartford's mayor announced Tuesday the Problem Landlords Task Force to identify landlords who are allowing tenants to live in poor conditions. The goal is to hold owners accountable for their properties and improve living conditions for tenants.
"If you do not shape up it’s time to ship out," said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
The quality of housing has been a major issue in Hartford and now city officials are stepping in with a clear message to landlords.
"For those comfortable having their tenants live in unsafe, unsanitary conditions you should know we’re coming after you," said Arulampalam.
The task force, made up of city officials and law enforcement, will compile what's basically a public "naughty and nice list," identifying landlords not complying with housing codes and identifying those who are in good standing.
"We know this has been a growing problem for so many residents," said Arulampalam.
This comes after many complaints from several properties over the last few months, including on Wethersfield Avenue where a rally was recently held. Tenants complained of everything from rat infestations to homeless people sleeping on staircases.
That's why city officials are set to ask the City Council to increase the fine from $100 a day to $250 a day for landlords who have housing code violations.
"I’ve been through homes with holes in the ceiling and in homes where kids have PTSD because of rat and rodent infestation in those homes," said Arulampalam.
The mayor said many of the buildings in the city with violations are owned by LLCs who do not name a person responsible. Their goal is to retrace those steps and start forcing accountability.
"With every ounce of enforcement power we have, we will go after you. We will make it really difficult for you to do business in this city," said Arulampalam.
City officials will also hold a free seminar for all landlords to learn the housing code rules and make it easy to comply with those rules. That seminar is scheduled for sometime in March.
This was the first housing-related announcement set for this week to address other housing issues in the city.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hartford tenants call for accountability over deplorable living conditions
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Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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