Connecticut tenant rights

Guides for Connecticut renters

Security deposit in Connecticut

Limit

Two months' rent. If you are 62 or older, one month's rent. If you turn 62 after paying more than one month, the landlord must return the extra if you ask.

Deadline to return it

Within 21 days after your tenancy ends, or within 15 days after the landlord gets your forwarding address in writing, whichever is later. The landlord sends it to your forwarding address. Give your forwarding address in writing when you move out.

Itemized list

Yes. If the landlord keeps any part, they must send a written statement listing each deduction and its amount with the balance. The statute does not require receipts.

What may be deducted

Unpaid rent or utility payments owed to the landlord, damage caused by your failure to meet your duties under § 47a-11 (beyond normal wear and tear), and the reasonable cost of changing locks under § 47a-7b if you did not pay it. Nothing noted on a move-in walk-through checklist may be deducted (§ 47a-7c). Move-in and move-out fees are banned (§ 47a-4d).

Interest

Yes. The landlord must pay interest at least at the rate set each year by the Banking Commissioner (0.49% for 2026). It is paid or credited to rent on each anniversary of your tenancy, and any accrued interest is due within 21 days after you move out. No interest is owed for a month when you were more than 10 days late with rent, unless the landlord charged a late fee.

Separate account

Yes. The landlord must put the whole deposit in an escrow account at a Connecticut bank right away. Within 30 days the landlord must tell you in writing how much is held and the name and address of the bank.

Move-in checklist

Yes, for leases signed on or after January 1, 2024: before you move in, the landlord must offer you a walk-through inspection. If you ask for it, you both fill out and sign the state Department of Housing checklist. The landlord cannot later take money from your deposit for anything listed on it. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7c.

If the landlord keeps it wrongly

A landlord who does not return the deposit and itemized list on time owes you twice the deposit. If the only problem is missing interest, the landlord owes $10 or twice the interest, whichever is more. You can also complain to the Banking Department.

Law

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21

How to get your deposit back

1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Connecticut: Within 21 days after your tenancy ends, or within 15 days after the landlord gets your forwarding address in writing, whichever is later.
3. Wait for the deadline: Within 21 days after your tenancy ends, or within 15 days after the landlord gets your forwarding address in writing, whichever is later.
4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $5,000 plus interest and costs. A tenant suing for a security deposit can get double the deposit even if that is over $5,000. Small claims court in Connecticut on Small Claims Map

Full Connecticut security deposit guide

Repairs in Connecticut

The landlord's duty

The landlord must follow building and housing codes, make all repairs needed to keep the home fit and livable, keep common areas clean and safe, keep plumbing, heating, electrical and appliances working, provide trash containers, and supply running water, hot water and heat. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7.

How to ask for repairs

Ask the landlord in writing and keep a copy. For essential services, give notice before acting; the landlord has 48 hours before you may move to substitute housing. For other repairs, file a complaint with your town's housing code enforcement office; you must wait at least 21 days after that complaint before filing in court.

Repair and deduct

Only for essential services. If the landlord fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas or another essential service, you can give notice and then buy reasonable amounts of that service and deduct the actual cost from rent, or move to substitute housing (rent stops while the service is out). If the failure is willful, you can end the lease and recover two months' rent or double your damages. There is no general repair-and-deduct for other repairs. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13.

Withholding rent

Do not just stop paying. Instead you can pay rent into court. First complain to your town's housing code or health office. At least 21 days later, you can file a sworn complaint in housing court ($25 fee, can be waived) and pay your rent to the court. The court can order repairs, appoint a receiver and reduce your rent. You cannot file if a notice to quit for nonpayment was served first. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h.

Law

Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-7, 47a-13, 47a-14h

Full Connecticut repair rights guide

Landlord entry in Connecticut

The landlord must give you reasonable written or oral notice and may enter only at reasonable times. No fixed number of hours is set. Without your consent the landlord may enter only in an emergency, with a court order, if you abandoned the unit, or during your extended absence. You may not unreasonably refuse entry for repairs, inspections or showings. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-16, 47a-16a.

Eviction in Connecticut

Notice for unpaid rent

You have a 9-day grace period after rent is due (4 days for weekly tenancies), extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system kept you from paying on time. After that, the landlord may serve a written notice to quit giving at least 3 days before the date you must leave. Since 2025 the notice must be served by a state marshal (proper officer). The statute does not say whether weekends count. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a, 47a-23.

Notice for a lease violation

For most lease violations the landlord must first give a written notice listing the problem and a termination date at least 15 days after you receive it. If you fix the problem or pay for the damage within 15 days, the lease does not end. If the same thing happens again within 6 months, the landlord can go straight to a 3-day notice to quit. For serious nuisance (violence, threats, serious damage, drug dealing), the landlord can use a 3-day notice to quit without a chance to fix it.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

No statute sets a notice period to end a month-to-month tenancy. It ends by lapse of time at the end of a rental period, and the landlord must then serve a notice to quit giving at least 3 days. Tenants 62 or older or with disabilities in buildings with 5 or more units (or mobile home parks) can be evicted only for good cause. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-23, 47a-23c.

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

You must file an appearance with the court no later than 2 days after the return date on the summons. If you do not, the landlord can get a judgment for possession. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26.

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

Yes. A lease cannot let the landlord evict you without a court order. Lockouts, removing or holding your belongings, or damaging the unit to force you out can be challenged with an entry and detainer complaint to a Superior Court judge; you can recover double damages and costs. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4, 47a-43, 47a-46.

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15, 47a-15a, 47a-23, 47a-26, 47a-43, 47a-46

Full Connecticut eviction guide

Rent increases and rent control in Connecticut

Notice of a rent increase

At least 45 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (for a lease of one month or less, notice equal to one full rental period). Not answering the notice does not mean you agreed. Rent cannot go up during a lease term. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4e (in force since October 1, 2024). A landlord also cannot raise rent in retaliation within 6 months of your complaint (§ 47a-20), and you can challenge an excessive increase at your town's fair rent commission.

Rent control

No statewide rent cap or rent control. Towns can set up fair rent commissions that review excessive rents. Under a 2025 law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-148b as amended), every town of 15,000 or more people must create or join a fair rent commission by January 1, 2028. Since 2025 it is illegal for landlords to use rent-setting 'revenue management' software that uses competitors' private data (§ 47a-4f).

Late fees in Connecticut

A late fee is allowed only if your written lease says so, and only after the 9-day grace period (4 days for weekly rent; 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system failed). The fee may not exceed the lesser of $5 a day up to $50 total, or 5% of the late payment (5% of your share if rent is partly paid by a government or charity). Only one late fee per late payment. Since 2025, your payments must go to rent first, then to other fees (§ 47a-7d). Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4, 47a-15a.

Retaliation in Connecticut

For 6 months after you complain to a code or health agency or a fair rent commission, a town agency files a notice or order about a violation, you ask in good faith for repairs, you file a rent-into-court case, or you join a tenants' union, the landlord may not evict you, raise rent or cut services. Limited exceptions apply (for example, nonpayment of rent). Retaliation is a defense to eviction. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-20, 47a-20a, 47a-33.

Small claims court in Connecticut

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.

Limit: $5,000 plus interest and costs. A tenant suing for a security deposit can get double the deposit even if that is over $5,000.

Where to get free help in Connecticut

• Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant FAQ and housing court guides (English and Spanish)
• Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits (complaints and interest rate)
• CTLawHelp.org (statewide legal aid information)

Good to know in Connecticut

• Your deposit must sit in an escrow account at a Connecticut bank and earns interest every year (0.49% for 2026).
• Rent increases need at least 45 days' written notice (§ 47a-4e).
• Tenants 62 or older, or with a disability, in buildings with 5 or more units can only be evicted for good cause (§ 47a-23c).

Recent law changes

2023 law (PA 23-207): deposit return cut from 30 to 21 days; late-fee cap ($5/day up to $50 or 5%); application fees banned except a tenant-screening fee of about $50 (CPI-adjusted); move-in/move-out fees banned; move-in walk-through checklist (leases from January 1, 2024). PA 24-143 (October 1, 2024): 45-day written notice for rent increases. 2025 laws: grace period extended 5 days if the landlord's online payment system fails (Nov. Sp. Sess. PA 25-1); ban on rent-setting algorithm software (§ 47a-4f); you can ask for a copy of your rent ledger (PA 25-146, § 47a-3a(d)); advertised rent must include mandatory monthly fees, payments go to rent first, and from April 1, 2026 every written lease must start with the state's rental terms summary form, with a one-month-rent penalty for violations (PA 25-44, § 47a-7d); notices to quit must be served by a state marshal (PA 25-78); towns of 15,000+ must have a fair rent commission by January 1, 2028.

Free tools for Connecticut renters

Pre-set for Connecticut. They run in your browser and send nothing.

Deposit return calculator for Connecticut

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Security deposit demand letter for Connecticut

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Repair request letter for Connecticut

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Eviction notice timeline for Connecticut

Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.

Questions about renters' rights in Connecticut

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