United States · CT

Connecticut landlord-tenant laws.

The key statutes you need to know as a Connecticut landlord — deposit caps, late fees, entry notice, and required disclosures at a glance.

Security deposit

2 months' rent (1 month if tenant ≥ 62)

Return: 21 days (or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later) · Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21

Late fees

Capped: lesser of $5/day up to $50 total, or 5% of the overdue rent; one charge per late payment

Grace period: 9 days (4 days for week-to-week tenancies) · Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a (as amended by P.A. 23-207)

Entry notice

Reasonable notice

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16

Termination notice

3-day notice to quit (lapse of time)

Rent control

Fair rent commissions in some municipalities

Small claims limit

$5,000 (deposit claims may exceed it)

Required disclosures

Every Connecticut residential lease must include these disclosures where applicable. Missing required disclosures can void clauses or trigger statutory penalties.

Lead-based paint
Bed bugs
Fire safety

Notable Connecticut quirk

Seniors (62+) get a lower deposit cap, and missing the deposit-return deadline can mean owing double the deposit. P.A. 23-207 (2023) cut the return window to 21 days and capped late fees.

Connecticut landlord law FAQ

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?

21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later — with interest (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, reduced from 30 days effective Oct. 1, 2023). Missing the deadline can mean owing double the deposit.

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Connecticut?

The lesser of $5 per day up to $50, or 5% of the overdue rent — and only one late charge per late payment (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a, as amended by P.A. 23-207).

Is there a grace period for rent in Connecticut?

Yes: 9 days for monthly tenancies (4 days for weekly). No late fee may be charged and rent is not in default until it passes (§ 47a-15a).

What is the maximum security deposit in Connecticut?

Two months' rent, or one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older (§ 47a-21).

How much notice must a Connecticut landlord give before entering?

"Reasonable" notice (written or oral), entry only at reasonable times, except in emergencies (§ 47a-16). Abuse of access exposes the landlord to damages of at least one month's rent plus attorney fees.

How much can a landlord charge for late rent in Connecticut?

Capped: lesser of $5/day up to $50 total, or 5% of the overdue rent; one charge per late payment. Grace period: 9 days (4 days for week-to-week tenancies). Late fee terms should always be written into the lease.

What is the security deposit limit in Connecticut?

2 months' rent (1 month if tenant ≥ 62). The deposit must be returned within 21 days (or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later) after move-out.

How much notice does a landlord need to enter a rental in Connecticut?

Reasonable notice.

Is there rent control in Connecticut?

Fair rent commissions in some municipalities.

Sources

Summarized from public statutes, state bar guides, and provincial residential tenancy acts. Last reviewed 2026-07-02. Deposit statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21. Late fee statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a (as amended by P.A. 23-207).

This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.

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Baked in

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Other states

Delaware

1 month's rent (12-month+ leases)

District of Columbia

1 month's rent

Florida

No statutory cap

Georgia

2 months' rent (leases entered/renewed on or after July 1, 2024); no cap on older leases

Hawaii

1 month's rent

Idaho

No cap

Illinois

No state cap (suburban Cook County caps at 1.5 months; Chicago has no cap)

Indiana

No cap