Connecticut

Connecticut Landlord Tenant Key Rules

Official Connecticut Forms:

 

Security Deposit

TOPIC	RULE
Security Deposit Maximum:	2x monthly rent if tenant is under 62 years of age. If tenant is 62+ years old 1x month rent is the maximum. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b)(1)(2)
Security Deposit Interest:	Any accrued interest must be paid to tenant at termination of tenancy. Interest rate must be average rate paid by insured commercial banks.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i)
Separate Security Deposit Bank Account:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(h)
Non-refundable fees:	No statute
Pet Deposits and Additional Fees:	No specific statute for pet deposits. Refer to general security deposit statute Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21.
Deadline for Returning Security Deposit:	21 days Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)
Permitted Uses of the Deposit:	Applicable to damages caused by tenant’s noncompliance with obligations outlined in agreement, and accrued interest. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(1)(A)(B)
Security Deposit can be Withheld:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)(B)
Require Written Description/Itemized List of Damages and Charges:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)(B)
Receipt of Security Deposit:	Required for cash payments Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3a(c)
Record Keeping of Deposit Withholdings:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)(B)
Failure to Comply:

Lease, Rent & Fees:

TOPIC	RULE
Rent is Due:	Due at the beginning of the month unless otherwise agreed on the rental agreement. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3a(a)(b)
Payment Methods:	No statute but common methods are electronic transfers, cash, check, etc.
Rent Increase Notice:	45-day notice required House Bill No. 5474 Public Act No. 24-143, Page 23, Sec 17
Late Fees:	$5/day maximum $50 or 5% of delinquent rent payment Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a
Application Fees:	Not allowed Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4d
Prepaid Rent:	2x monthly rent if tenant is under 62 years of age. If tenant is 62+ years old 1x month rent is the maximum. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b)(1)(2)
Returned Check Fees:	Amount to be determined by the court shall not be greater than the face amount of check or between $400-750 (whichever is less) depending on whether the drawer has insufficient funds or no account with the bank. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-565a(b)(c)
Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services (Water, Heat, etc.):	Yes. Notice to the landlord must be given before procuring services. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13
Tenant Allowed to Repair and Deduct Rent:	No specific statute for repairs. In the case of utilities refer to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13
Self-Help Evictions:	The State of Connecticut has a guide on how to evict a tenant called Summary Process. A Landlord’s Guide To Eviction (Summary Process)
Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney’s Fees:	Yes. If tenant refuses to allow the landlord entry and as a result, the landlord has to file an injuctive relief with the court. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-18
Landlord Must Make a Reasonable Attempt to Mitigate Damages to Lessee, including an Attempt to Re-rent:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11a

Notices and Entry:

TOPIC	RULE
Notice to Terminate Tenancy:	3-day notice Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(a)(G)(C)
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Week-to-week:	3-day notice required. After notice is given, rental agreement is terminated, and tenancy converts to a tenancy at sufferance providing basis for Summary Process. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(d)
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Month-to-Month:	3-day notice required. After notice is given, rental agreement is terminated, and tenancy converts to a tenancy at sufferance providing basis for Summary Process. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(d)
Notice to Terminate Lease due to Sale of Property:	No statute but general notice to terminate a tenancy is 3 days per Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23.
Notice of date/time of Move-Out Inspection:	No statute
Notice of Termination for Nonpayment:	3-day notice required Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(a)
Notice for Lease Violation:	15-day notice required Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15
Required Notice before Entry:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(c)
Entry Allowed with Notice for Maintenance and Repairs:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(a)
Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(d)
Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(d)
Entry Allowed with Notice for Showing the Property:	Yes Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(a)
Notice to Tenants for Pesticide Use:	No statute
Lockouts Allowed:	A landlord must follow the Summary Process to evict a tenant. A Landlord’s Guide To Eviction (Summary Process)
Utility Shut-offs Allowed:	No Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13
Electronic Notices Allowed:	No statute

Disclosures

• Name and Addresses: Landlord must disclose the name and address of the owner and managing agent. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6)
• Copy of the Lease: Tenant must receive a copy of the lease. (Standard practice)
• Domestic Violence Situations: Victims may terminate a lease early with written notice and supporting documentation. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e)

Duties

Landlord’s Duties

• Compliance: Must comply with all applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7)
• Repairs: Must make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7)
• Common Areas: Must keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7)
• Maintenance: Must maintain in good and safe working order all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and other facilities and appliances supplied or required to be supplied. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7)
• Garbage: Must provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for the removal of garbage. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7)

Tenant’s Duties

• Cleanliness: Keep the part of the premises that they occupy and use as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permits. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Trash: Dispose of all garbage and other waste in a clean and safe manner. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Plumbing: Keep all plumbing fixtures in the premises as clean as their condition permits. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Appliances: Use all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances in a reasonable manner. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Damage: Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Quiet Enjoyment: Conduct oneself in a manner that does not disturb other tenants’ peaceful enjoyment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11)
• Subleasing: Only with landlord’s written consent unless lease specifies otherwise. (Customary)
• Retaliation: Landlords may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services because of tenant complaints or legal actions. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20)
• Lead Disclosure: Required under federal law for properties built before 1978.