New Britain landlords fight local fees

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Landlords in New Britain are fighting a local law that imposes a fee on properties where police and fire fighters are called repeatedly and a $150 fee on properties owned by absentee landlords.

The New Britain Herald reports that the city has promised to toughen enforcement of a "hot spot" fee that targets landlords of properties where emergency personnel are called five to nine times a year.

Landlords also are furious at the $150 fee on each unit that could cost tens of thousands of dollars for owners of apartment buildings.

Bob De Cosmo, president of the Connecticut Property Owners Alliance, told The Hartford Courant that the fee is a money grab.

Alderman Michael Trueworthy says the city is cracking down on blight and property owners he calls slumlords.

Property owners say they will file a lawsuit on Tuesday.