Connecticut Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Connecticut, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Connecticut. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Connecticut's landlord-tenant chapters (Chapter 830, and Chapter 831 on security deposits) apply statewide, with no county or population limit. Chapter 830 does not govern residence at an institution incidental to detention or medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar service; occupancy by a buyer under a contract of sale; a fraternal or social organization's member in its building; transient occupancy in a hotel, motel or similar lodging; a condominium unit owner; or a personal care assistant given living space by the person with a disability who employs them. A stay of under 30 days in a hotel, motel or similar lodging is transient unless the unit is the occupant's primary residence from the start. Chapter 830 does not apply to a mobile home owner renting a lot in a mobile home park. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-2(a), (b), (c)(1) |
| Security deposit limit | Two months' rent for a tenant under 62. One month's rent for a tenant 62 or older; a landlord holding more than one month's rent from a tenant who turns 62 must return the excess on the tenant's request. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b) |
| Where deposits are held | The landlord must immediately deposit the entire security deposit in one or more escrow accounts for the tenants at a bank, savings bank or savings and loan association located in Connecticut. Within 30 days after receiving a deposit or moving it to another institution or account, the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the amount held and the name and address of the institution. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(a)(5), (h)(1), (h)(4)(A) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord must deliver the full deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deductions with a written statement itemizing the damages. A landlord who violates this is liable for twice the deposit; if the only violation is not paying the accrued interest, $10 or twice the interest, whichever is greater. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Deposit deductions | Only damages the landlord suffered because the tenant did not meet the tenant's obligations: rent or utility payments due the landlord, the tenant's duties under section 47a-11, and the reasonable cost of a lock change under section 47a-7b the tenant has not paid. For leases entered into on or after January 1, 2024, nothing may be kept for a condition, defect or damage noted on the pre-occupancy walk-through checklist. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-21(a)(14), (d)(2), 47a-7c(b), (d) |
| Interest on deposits | Required, except for student housing owned or controlled by an educational institution. The yearly rate must be at least the deposit index for that year; interest is paid to the tenant or credited toward rent on each anniversary of the tenancy. Interest accrued when the tenancy ends, or when the deposit is returned early, must be paid within 21 days. No interest is owed for a month in which rent was more than 10 days late, unless the landlord charges a late fee for it. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i) |
| Landlord entry notice | Reasonable written or oral notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency; no number of hours is set. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make repairs, supply services or show the unit. Without the tenant's consent, the landlord may enter only in an emergency, as permitted by section 47a-16a, by court order, or after the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the unit. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16 |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Unless the lease fixes a definite term, the tenancy is month to month (week to week if rent is paid weekly). When a lease ends by lapse of time, a landlord seeking possession must give a notice to quit at least three days before the lease ends or before the move-out date in the notice. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-3b, 47a-23(a) |
| Rent-increase notice | Written notice at least 45 days before the increase takes effect; for a lease with a term of one month or less, notice equal to one full term of the lease. A tenant's failure to respond is not agreement to the increase. The section does not allow an increase during the term of a rental agreement. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4e |
| Late fees | Only if the lease has a valid written agreement to pay a late charge, and only on a payment made after the grace period: 9 days after the due date (4 days for a one-week tenancy), extended 5 more days when the landlord's online rent payment system prevents payment. The charge may not exceed the lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5% of the late payment (5% of the tenant's share when a government or charitable entity pays part of the rent). Only one late charge per late payment. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If rent is not paid within the grace period (9 days after the due date, 4 for a one-week tenancy, plus 5 more days when the landlord's online payment system prevents payment), the landlord may end the lease. The landlord must give a written notice to quit at least three days before the move-out date in the notice; this ground does not apply when the landlord's online payment system prevented payment within the grace period. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23(a), (b) |
| Rent control | Every town or city with a population of 15,000 or more must create or join a fair rent commission, and any other may. After a hearing, a commission that finds a rent or a proposed rent increase so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable may limit it to an amount it finds fair and equitable. For a tenant in a building or complex of five or more units (or a mobile home park) who is 62 or older or has a physical or mental disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, or who permanently lives with a spouse or listed relative who is, rent may be raised only as far as is fair and equitable under section 7-148c (subsection (a)(1) as re-enacted by Public Act 26-11, effective October 1, 2026). Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b(b), 7-148d(a), 47a-23c(a)(1), (c)(1); P.A. 26-11, § 15 |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing, on or before the start of the tenancy, the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of the person authorized to receive notices, demands and legal papers, kept current. Within 30 days after receiving a security deposit, the amount held and the name and address of the financial institution holding it. Before renting a unit in a common interest community from its declarant, written notice that the unit is in a common interest community. In a building required to have a fire sprinkler system, the lease must state in at least 12-point bold type whether there is an operative system and, if there is, the date of its last maintenance and inspection. From April 1, 2026, a written lease must begin with a completed copy of the state's standardized rental terms summary form (published by the Department of Housing in English and Spanish). From January 1, 2024, in a building or complex of five or more units or a mobile home park, written notice of the protections of section 47a-23c(b) and (c) each time a unit is rented or a lease is entered into or renewed. From January 1, 2024, before the tenant moves in, the landlord must offer the tenant a walk-through inspection of the unit. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-6(a), 47a-21(h)(4)(A), 47a-3e, 47a-3f(b), (c), 47a-7d(c), (d), 47a-23c(e)(1), 47a-7c(a) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or trafficking in persons, learning disability, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation and civil union status. Ancestry, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, veteran status, victim status, sexual orientation and civil union status appear in Connecticut's law but not in the federal list. This is the text in effect from October 1, 2026, as re-enacted by Public Act 26-77. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-64c(a)(1), (a)(6)(A), 46a-81e(a)(1), as re-enacted by P.A. 26-77, §§ 27, 29 (effective October 1, 2026); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
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Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
Two months' rent for a tenant under 62. One month's rent for a tenant 62 or older; a landlord holding more than one month's rent from a tenant who turns 62 must return the excess on the tenant's request. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Connecticut landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord must deliver the full deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deductions with a written statement itemizing the damages. A landlord who violates this is liable for twice the deposit; if the only violation is not paying the accrued interest, $10 or twice the interest, whichever is greater. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Connecticut landlord give before entering?
Reasonable written or oral notice, and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency; no number of hours is set. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make repairs, supply services or show the unit. Without the tenant's consent, the landlord may enter only in an emergency, as permitted by section 47a-16a, by court order, or after the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the unit. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Connecticut?
Unless the lease fixes a definite term, the tenancy is month to month (week to week if rent is paid weekly). When a lease ends by lapse of time, a landlord seeking possession must give a notice to quit at least three days before the lease ends or before the move-out date in the notice. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Connecticut?
Written notice at least 45 days before the increase takes effect; for a lease with a term of one month or less, notice equal to one full term of the lease. A tenant's failure to respond is not agreement to the increase. The section does not allow an increase during the term of a rental agreement. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Connecticut landlord charge for late rent?
Only if the lease has a valid written agreement to pay a late charge, and only on a payment made after the grace period: 9 days after the due date (4 days for a one-week tenancy), extended 5 more days when the landlord's online rent payment system prevents payment. The charge may not exceed the lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5% of the late payment (5% of the tenant's share when a government or charitable entity pays part of the rent). Only one late charge per late payment. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Connecticut landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If rent is not paid within the grace period (9 days after the due date, 4 for a one-week tenancy, plus 5 more days when the landlord's online payment system prevents payment), the landlord may end the lease. The landlord must give a written notice to quit at least three days before the move-out date in the notice; this ground does not apply when the landlord's online payment system prevented payment within the grace period. See the source in the table above.
Does Connecticut have rent control?
Every town or city with a population of 15,000 or more must create or join a fair rent commission, and any other may. After a hearing, a commission that finds a rent or a proposed rent increase so excessive as to be harsh and unconscionable may limit it to an amount it finds fair and equitable. For a tenant in a building or complex of five or more units (or a mobile home park) who is 62 or older or has a physical or mental disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, or who permanently lives with a spouse or listed relative who is, rent may be raised only as far as is fair and equitable under section 7-148c (subsection (a)(1) as re-enacted by Public Act 26-11, effective October 1, 2026). See the source in the table above.
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