How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?

Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent, or one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) The deposit must be accounted for within 21 days after the tenancy ends (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21).

Is there a limit on late fees in Connecticut?

Connecticut sets no dollar cap, but a late fee may not be charged until rent is 9 days overdue. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a)

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires a 3-day notice to quit possession to end a month-to-month tenancy; Landy's lease provides 30 days' notice as a matter of contract. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Connecticut?

After the 9-day grace period, the landlord serves a 3-day notice to quit before filing summary process. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23) The case is filed as a summary process in Superior Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Connecticut?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Connecticut with the statutory citations printed in it.

Connecticut Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Connecticut has to respect Connecticut landlord-tenant law: a security deposit capped at two months' rent, accounted for within 21 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Connecticut tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Connecticut rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Connecticut lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Connecticut landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Connecticut	Citation
Security deposit limit	two months' rentSecurity deposit may not exceed two months' rent, or one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
Deposit return deadline	21 daysLandlord must return the deposit within 21 days after termination, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
Interest on deposits	RequiredConnecticut requires landlords to pay annual interest on security deposits at the rate set by the Banking Commissioner.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i)
Late fee limit	No statutory limitConnecticut sets no dollar cap, but a late fee may not be charged until rent is 9 days overdue.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a
Grace period before rent is late	9 daysRent is subject to a 9-day statutory grace period before it may be treated as late.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a
Notice to pay or quit	3 daysAfter the 9-day grace period, the landlord serves a 3-day notice to quit before filing summary process.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23
Time to cure a lease violation	15 daysTenant generally has 15 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeConnecticut requires a 3-day notice to quit possession to end a month-to-month tenancy; Landy's lease provides 30 days' notice as a matter of contract.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementConnecticut requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16

Disclosures a Connecticut lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978

If things go wrong in Connecticut

Where eviction is filed

Superior Court, as a summary process.

Governing law

Cited from the Connecticut General Statutes.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Connecticut lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?: Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent, or one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) The deposit must be accounted for within 21 days after the tenancy ends (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21).
Is there a limit on late fees in Connecticut?: Connecticut sets no dollar cap, but a late fee may not be charged until rent is 9 days overdue. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a)
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Connecticut?: Connecticut requires reasonable notice before entry rather than a fixed number of hours. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Connecticut?: Connecticut requires a 3-day notice to quit possession to end a month-to-month tenancy; Landy's lease provides 30 days' notice as a matter of contract. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Connecticut?: After the 9-day grace period, the landlord serves a 3-day notice to quit before filing summary process. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23) The case is filed as a summary process in Superior Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Connecticut?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Connecticut with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Connecticut lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Connecticut lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Connecticut law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Connecticut attorney review your lease before you rely on it.