Connecticut’s landlord-tenant law centers on Title 47a of the Connecticut General Statutes, and its security deposit statute — section 47a-21 — is one of the most tenant-favorable in the country: a two-month cap, mandatory annual interest at a rate set by the state Banking Commissioner, an escrow account requirement, and a double-damages penalty for missing the return deadline.
The return clock runs 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives a written forwarding address, whichever is later — and any landlord who keeps part of the deposit must send an itemized statement with the balance and interest.
Connecticut also stands out for what it forbids: self-help evictions are illegal, and landlords cannot raise rent without written notice — 45 days for fixed terms, 30 days for month-to-month. There is no rent control, but towns may operate Fair Rent Commissions to review excessive increases. This guide is general information, not legal advice — for help, try CTLawHelp.org.
| Governing law | Connecticut General Statutes Title 47a |
|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | 2 months’ rent; 1 month for tenants 62+ (CGS § 47a-21) |
| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after termination, or 15 days after a written forwarding address (CGS § 47a-21) |
| Deposit interest | Annual interest at the Banking Commissioner’s rate, in an escrow account (CGS § 47a-21) |
| Rent increase notice | 45 days (fixed-term); 30 days (month-to-month) (CGS § 47a-4e) |
| Nonpayment notice to quit | 3 days, after a 9-day grace period (CGS §§ 47a-15a, 47a-23) |
Connecticut Rental Law at a Glance
Title 47a of the Connecticut General Statutes holds most landlord-tenant rules: landlord duties in section 47a-7, rent-increase notice in section 47a-4e, deposit mechanics in section 47a-21, and notice-to-quit and summary process rules in Chapter 832. The courts and the Department of Banking both publish plain-language deposit guidance.
Federal law applies on top — the lead-based paint disclosure for housing built before 1978 and fair housing protections — and municipalities add their own health, housing, and licensing codes. When a lease term conflicts with a non-waivable statute, the statute wins.
Security Deposits: Cap, Interest, and the 21-Day Clock
A Connecticut landlord may collect no more than two months’ rent as a deposit from a tenant under 62, and no more than one month’s from a tenant 62 or older (CGS § 47a-21). The deposit must go into an escrow account at a Connecticut financial institution, and the landlord must pay interest annually at the rate set by the Banking Commissioner (0.49% for 2026), directly or as a rent credit. Tenants who pay rent more than 10 days late forfeit that month’s interest unless the lease instead imposes a separate late fee.
The landlord must return the deposit with interest, or send an itemized statement of damages with the balance, within 21 days after the tenancy ends — or 15 days after receiving a written forwarding address, whichever is later. Missing the deadline makes the landlord liable for twice the deposit; if only interest was unpaid, the penalty is $10 or twice the unpaid interest, whichever is greater.
- ✓Deductions are limited to damages from the tenant’s failure to meet obligations under the lease and the act — including unpaid rent, utilities, and an unpaid lock-change cost.
- ✓Tenant tip: put a forwarding address in writing (certified mail is safest) and photograph the unit at move-in and move-out. Landlord tip: run the clock from termination, itemize with receipts, and pay the interest annually — the escrow rules are enforced.
Pet Deposits and Pet Rent in Connecticut
Connecticut law sets no separate limits on pet deposits or pet rent; any pet deposit collected as security counts toward the two-month (or one-month for seniors) cap and follows the same escrow and return rules. Monthly pet rent, by contrast, is rent.
Service and assistance animals are not pets — no extra deposits or rent under federal fair housing law. A pet addendum should name the animal, state the deposit and any pet rent, and assign responsibility for damage and cleanup.
Rent Increases and Fair Rent Commissions
Connecticut requires written notice before any rent increase: at least 45 days for a fixed-term renewal and at least 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy (CGS § 47a-4e). There is no statewide rent cap and no rent control, but many towns operate Fair Rent Commissions under CGS §§ 7-148b through 7-148f that review complaints about excessive increases. A landlord also cannot raise rent in retaliation — the statute bars increases within six months of a tenant exercising protected rights.
Tenants who receive an increase should confirm the notice is in writing, check the number of days, and consider whether their town has a Fair Rent Commission. Landlords should send the notice in writing with a clear effective date and keep proof of delivery.
Habitability, Disclosures, and Repairs
Connecticut implies a warranty of habitability in every rental (CGS § 47a-4a) and spells out landlord duties in section 47a-7: fit and safe premises, working plumbing, heat, and water, plus smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as state law requires (sections 29-292 and 29-389). A specific bed bug statute (section 47a-7a) requires tenants to report infestations and landlords to inspect and treat, and the federal lead-based paint disclosure applies to pre-1978 housing.
Where a landlord fails to maintain the premises, Connecticut tenants have real remedies: courts allow rent withholding where the landlord’s failure materially affects health and safety, and tenants can seek repairs, rent abatement, or damages. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing doors, or cutting utilities — are illegal under section 47a-4(a)(5). Document every repair request in writing.
Evictions: The Notice to Quit and Summary Process
Connecticut evictions run through summary process in the Superior Court’s housing session. For nonpayment, rent must be unpaid through a nine-day grace period (CGS § 47a-15a) before the landlord serves a notice to quit, which must give at least three days before the termination date (CGS § 47a-23). Material lease violations get a 15-day notice with a right to cure.
Tenants who are 62 or older, or who have a disability, cannot be evicted simply because a lease expired in buildings with five or more units — the landlord needs just cause. Tenants served with a notice to quit or summary process summons should respond by the return date; Connecticut Legal Services, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, and New Haven Legal Assistance can help.
Resolving Disputes: Small Claims and Legal Help
Connecticut small claims court hears cases up to $5,000 — confirm the current limit before filing — which covers most deposit disputes including the double-damages remedy. Start with a written demand letter citing CGS § 47a-21, then file in the judicial district where the property sits.
Free help is available through CTLawHelp.org, Statewide Legal Services, Connecticut Legal Services, and local legal aid offices. Whichever side you are on, the case turns on documents: the lease, photos, written notices, the itemized statement, and proof of mailing.
Guide reviewed 2026-08-19. Rental laws change frequently; verify the current statute text before relying on any rule on this page. This information is not legal advice.