Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Maximum two months' rent; one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Within 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. Includes accrued interest and an itemized statement of deductions. Penalty for violations: twice the deposit.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable written or oral notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency.

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A rent increase takes effect only if the landlord gives at least 45 days' written notice, or for leases of one month or less, notice equal to a full lease term. A tenant's silence is not agreement. This does not allow increases during a lease term. It applies to agreements entered, renewed or extended on or after Oct. 1, 2024.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Connecticut, and how much?

Accepted Answer

Only after a 9-day grace period (4 days for one-week tenancies); capped at the lesser of $5/day up to $50, or 5% of the late payment.

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Rent unpaid 9 days after the due date (4 days for weekly tenancies) lets the landlord serve a written notice to quit at least 3 days before the date to vacate; the landlord can file after that date.

Question 7

Can cities in Connecticut pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

The CT Office of Legislative Research reports that Connecticut law does not let municipalities adopt rent control ordinances (OLR guidance). Instead, towns may (and larger towns must) set up fair rent commissions to control excessive rents (CGS §§ 7-148b to 7-148g). Under the 2026 statute, towns of 15,000 or more must create or join one by Jan. 1, 2028.

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Absent a fixed term, a tenancy is month to month (§ 47a-3b). When it ends by lapse of time, the landlord may serve a notice to quit, which must be delivered at least 3 days before the termination date or the date to quit (§ 47a-23(a)). Tenants who are 62+ or disabled, or live with such a relative, and live in buildings or complexes of 5+ units or mobile home parks can only be evicted for good cause (§ 47a-23c).

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Landlords (other than student housing owned by an educational institution) must pay interest on security deposits at no less than the annual deposit index (C.G.S. § 36a-26). It is paid on each anniversary of the tenancy, or credited to rent.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Since January 1, 2024, after signing but before move-in, the landlord must offer a joint walk-through using the Department of Housing checklist. Both parties sign copies. Conditions noted on the checklist cannot be charged to the tenant's deposit at move-out.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

For 6 months after a tenant acts in good faith (reports code violations to officials or the fair rent commission, a municipal agency cites a violation, the tenant requests repairs, brings a 47a-14h action, or joins or organizes a tenants' union), the landlord may not sue for possession, demand a rent increase, or cut services. See § 47a-20a for exceptions.

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Forcible entry and detainer covers anyone who forcibly takes or holds a dwelling, or enters and removes or detains the occupant's personal property, without the occupant's consent. The ousted occupant may file a complaint with a Superior Court judge for a prompt hearing (§ 47a-43) and may recover double damages and costs (§ 47a-46).

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

If heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas or another essential service is not supplied, the tenant may give notice and buy the service and deduct it, get substitute housing after 48 hours, or (if the failure is willful) end the lease and recover two months' rent or double damages. Tenants may also sue in housing court and pay rent into court to enforce the landlord's duties.

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

On or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must give written notice of the name and address of the manager and of the person authorized to receive notices and service. Leases must also disclose whether there is an operative fire sprinkler system, and declarant landlords must disclose that the unit is in a common interest community.

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Abandonment means moving out without notice, removing substantially all belongings, and either not paying rent for over 2 months or stating an intent not to return. The landlord may send a notice by regular and certified mail. If the occupant does not respond within 10 days, the landlord may retake the unit. Belongings not reclaimed within 30 days of the notice may be disposed of as the statute allows.

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A victim of family violence (leases signed or renewed on or after 1/1/2011) or sexual assault (on or after 1/1/2014) who reasonably fears imminent harm may end the lease without penalty with at least 30 days' written notice.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

9-day grace period (4 days for one-week tenancies). After that, a late charge allowed by the written lease is capped at the lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5% of the delinquent rent. Only one late charge may be assessed per late payment.

Question 18

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

No application-processing fee is allowed. A landlord may charge only for a tenant screening report: up to $50, adjusted for CPI by the Commissioner of Housing. Move-in and move-out fees are banned.

Question 19

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to rent, or discriminating in rental terms, because of lawful source of income is a discriminatory housing practice.

Question 20

How does the eviction court process work in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

If the tenant doesn't appear within 2 days after the return day, the court must enter judgment for possession no later than the first court day after the landlord files a motion with the notice to quit.

Question 21

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

For tenants who are 62 or older, or who have a qualifying disability (or live with such a family member), in buildings of 5+ units or mobile home parks, a landlord may not bring an eviction except for listed good causes such as nonpayment, refusing a fair rent increase, or material noncompliance.

Question 22

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A tenant holding over after the lease ends is not evidence of an agreement for a new lease. An oral monthly lease with no agreed end date is treated as a lease for one month only.

Question 23

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

If the landlord fails to supply heat, running or hot water, electricity, gas or another essential service (for reasons within its control), the tenant may give notice and buy reasonable amounts of the service and deduct the cost from rent, or get substitute housing.

Question 24

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A tenant may sue in housing court over code violations, but only after complaining to the municipal code agency at least 21 days before filing. Rent is paid into court while the case is pending. The tenant can't file if a valid notice to quit has already been served.

Question 25

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no provision on subletting or assignment of a residential lease, so the lease terms control (full-text search of Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 830).

Question 26

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

When the only occupant of a unit dies, the landlord may use the statutory process. That means sending notice by regular and certified mail to the occupant's emergency contact and next of kin that the occupant has died and that the landlord intends to remove belongings and re-rent, before removing the property.

Question 27

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The State Fire Safety Code must require smoke detection and warning equipment in residential buildings designed for one or more families. Detailed requirements are in the Fire Safety Code, which this site has not reviewed.

Question 28

What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no separate rule on pet deposits or pet fees, so any pet deposit falls under the general security-deposit rules in that law (full-text search of Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 830 (§§ 47a-1 et seq.), full-text search). Assistance-animal rules are in fair-housing law, which this site has not reviewed for this topic.

Question 29

What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no requirement for landlords to pay tenants relocation assistance (full-text search of Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 830 (§§ 47a-1 et seq.), full-text search). Government relocation programs, such as those for public projects, are in other laws not reviewed here.

Question 30

What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A landlord who receives a cash payment must give a receipt showing the date, amount and purpose. For leases signed on or after Oct. 1, 2013, a landlord may not require electronic funds transfer as the only way to pay rent or a deposit.

Question 31

What is the eviction record sealing rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Not sealing, but within 30 days after a summary process case is withdrawn, dismissed or decided for the tenant, the Judicial Department must remove its records from the court website (§ 47a-26j).

Question 32

What is the condo conversion protections rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Under the Common Interest Ownership Act, the declarant must give a conversion tenant a conversion notice and public offering statement at least nine months before the tenant must vacate. Income-qualified conversion tenants get a relocation payment of two months' rent or $1,000, whichever is greater.

Question 33

What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

For a material lease violation or a breach of tenant duties that affects health, safety or the property, the landlord must give written notice that the lease will end at least 15 days after the tenant receives it. Code text: "the rental agreement shall terminate upon a date not less than fifteen days after receipt of the notice."

Question 34

What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the breach can be fixed by repairs or paying damages and the tenant fixes it within the 15 days, the lease does not end. If the same thing happens again within six months, the landlord can evict without another chance to fix it. Code text: "if the breach is remediable by repairs or the payment of damages and the tenant adequately remedies the breach within such fifteen-day period, the rental agreement shall not terminate."

Question 35

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

A victim of family violence (leases from 1/1/2011) or sexual assault (from 1/1/2014) who reasonably fears imminent harm may end the lease without penalty by giving at least 30 days' written notice. Code text: "may terminate his or her rental agreement with the landlord for the dwelling unit that the tenant occupies without penalty or liability for the remaining term of the rental agreement by giving written notice to the landlord at least thirty days prior to the date the tenant intends to terminate."

Question 36

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after" entering military service, the date of the military orders, or the date of a stop movement order (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)(1)(A)-(C)).

Question 37

What are the Airbnb / short-term rental rules in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut municipalities may adopt an ordinance requiring licenses for short-term rental properties and regulating their use. The statute defines short-term rental properties (excluding hotels, B&Bs, motels and similar lodging) and does not create a statewide STR ban. Statute text: "Any municipality may (1) by vote of its legislative body, adopt an ordinance requiring the licensure of short-term rental properties in such municipality and regulating the operation and use of such properties, and (2) engage one or more consultants to assist such municipality in developing such ordinance. For the purposes of this section, “short-term rental properties” means a dwelling unit, as defined in section 47a-1 , or any portion thereof, that is (A) the subject of a short-term rental, as" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-148qq).

Question 38

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut Superior Court charges $175 to file a summary process (landlord-tenant eviction) case. Authority cited on the Judicial Branch fee schedule is Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-259. Statute text: "Summary process, landlord & tenant $175 52-259" (Conn. Judicial Branch Court Fees; § 52-259).

Question 39

What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no provision on guest stays or occupancy limits (full-text search of Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 830 (Rights and Responsibilities of Landlord and Tenant)). Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 40

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut bars landlords and property managers from refusing to rent to, or otherwise discriminating against, a prospective or existing tenant based on a past conviction for possession of a cannabis-type substance under § 21a-279a (or an out-of-state equivalent for four or fewer ounces of cannabis plant material). Landlords also may not require a tenant drug test. Exceptions include roomers, certain service/detention housing, transitional/sober-living facilities, and cases where federal law or federal benefits would be violated. Statute text: "Except as provided in this section, a landlord or property manager may not refuse to rent to a prospective tenant or an existing tenant, or otherwise discriminate against a prospective tenant or an existing tenant, based on a past conviction for possession of a cannabis-type substance under section 21a-279a or for a past conviction for possession of four or fewer ounces of cannabis plant material, and any equivalencies and combinations thereof, pursuant to subsection (i) of section 21a-279a in any other jurisdiction." Broader criminal/credit lookback rules are not set in ch. 830; federal fair-housing and FCRA rules still apply. Screening-report fee limits are covered under Application fees (§ 47a-4d).

Question 41

What is the property manager licensing rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

In Connecticut, renting real estate for another for a fee is part of the "real estate business," so a person doing it needs a real estate license unless an exemption in chapter 392 applies. Statute text: "“Engage in the real estate business” means to, while acting for another and for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, negotiate for or offer, or attempt to list for sale, sell, exchange, buy or rent, an estate or interest in real estate" (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-311(15), 20-312(a)).

Question 42

What rights does a tenant have after foreclosure in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

After a Connecticut foreclosure, a bona fide tenant in possession cannot be ejected or sued for possession on the basis of the foreclosure until the lease ends or 60 days after title vests, whichever comes first (for written leases made more than 60 days before the foreclosure began), or 30 days after title vests for other tenancies. Statute text: "any execution of ejectment issued pursuant to section 49-22 against such tenant shall be stayed and no summary process action pursuant to chapter 832 or other action to dispossess such tenant shall be commenced until" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20e).

Question 43

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut requires good cause to evict tenants who are 62 or older or have a qualifying disability (or live with such a family member), in buildings of five or more units or in mobile manufactured home parks. There is no general statewide just-cause rule for other tenants. Statute text: "this section applies to any tenant who resides in a building or complex consisting of five or more separate dwelling units or who resides in a mobile manufactured home park and who is either" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23c).

Question 44

What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut regulates "cash for keys" offers after a foreclosure: an incentive to vacate must be at least the greatest of the deposit plus interest due, two months' rent, or $2,000, and the tenant cannot be required to waive legal rights to get it. There is no general buyout disclosure rule for other tenancies. Statute text: "any money or other valuable consideration offered by a mortgagee, lienholder or other successor in interest to a tenant in possession as an incentive to vacate the premises shall be at least equal in amount or value to the greater of" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20f).

Question 45

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut landlords must put the full security deposit into an escrow account at a Connecticut financial institution right away, act as escrow agent, withdraw only for the purposes the statute lists, and give the tenant written notice of the amount held and where. Statute text: "Each landlord shall immediately deposit the entire amount of any security deposit received by such landlord from each tenant into one or more escrow accounts established or maintained in a financial institution for the benefit of each tenant" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(h)).

Question 46

What federal protections does a tenant have after foreclosure in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (made permanent in 2018), whoever takes over a home through foreclosure must give a bona fide tenant at least 90 days' notice to vacate. A tenant with a bona fide lease signed before the notice of foreclosure (the date title passes) can stay until the lease ends, unless the unit is sold to a buyer who will live there as a primary residence; that buyer must still give the 90-day notice. Month-to-month and at-will tenants also get the 90 days. A tenancy is bona fide only if the tenant is not the borrower or the borrower's child, spouse or parent, the deal was at arm's length, and the rent is not far below market (unless it is subsidized). State or local laws with longer notice or more protection still apply, and any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Statute text: "the provision, by such successor in interest of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice" (Pub. L. 111-22, SEC. 702(a)(1)).

Question 47

What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

In Connecticut, a mobile manufactured home park owner can end the rental agreement of a resident who owns the home, or bring an eviction, only for listed reasons: nonpayment of rent or charges, material health-and-safety or rule violations, refusing a properly noticed rent increase, or a change in land use. A change in land use requires at least 545 days' written notice. Statute text: "an owner may terminate a rental agreement or maintain a summary process action against a resident who owns a mobile manufactured home only for one or more of the following reasons" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21-80(b)(1)).

Question 48

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Any Connecticut municipality may require a nonresident owner of rental property (or an entity owner's agent in charge) to report a current residential address to the tax assessor or another designated office. Connecticut does not license landlords statewide under this section. A town can set a civil penalty of up to $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for later ones. Statute text: "Any municipality may require the nonresident owner or project-based housing provider of occupied or vacant rental real property to report to the tax assessor, or other municipal office designated by the municipality, the current residential address of the nonresident owner or project-based housing provider of such property" (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-6a(b), 47a-6b).

Question 49

What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut's room occupancy tax is 15% of the rent a hotel or lodging house receives for the first 30 consecutive days of a stay, and 11% for a bed and breakfast establishment. Statute text: "At a rate of fifteen per cent with respect to each transfer of occupancy, from the total amount of rent received by a hotel or lodging house for the first period not exceeding thirty consecutive calendar days" (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-408(1)(B)).

Question 50

Does Connecticut have rent control?

Accepted Answer

Each municipality with 15,000 or more people must, by ordinance adopted by January 1, 2028, create a fair rent commission or join a joint or regional one. Commissions hear complaints about rental charges.

Question 51

What is the warranty of habitability in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

The landlord must comply with applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety and make all repairs needed to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

Question 52

What disclosures must a landlord give in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

On or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and the person authorized to receive notices and demands.

Question 53

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

No state statute letting service members end a residential lease early was found in Conn. Gen. Stat. chapter 830 or Title 27. The Connecticut Attorney General's SCRA guide points tenants to the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Question 54

Can the city inspect my rental property in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring periodic rental inspections was found in Conn. Gen. Stat. chapter 830. Section 47a-7c covers walk-through inspections before occupancy only.

Connecticut landlord-tenant law FAQ