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Connecticut

A Connecticut lease agreement establishes a legally binding relationship between a landlord and their tenant(s). This document outlines the terms and conditions under which a property is rented, including the contact information of both parties, property specifics, rent details, pet policies, security deposit information, and essential health and safety disclosures.

SimpleBasicLease_Connecticut

SimpleBasicLease_Connecticut

Rental Lease Laws Overview

In Connecticut, there are no rent control laws, and landlords are not required to have a license. While there is no statutory limit on late fees, landlords can specify late fees in the rental agreement. A grace period is provided for rent payments.

Required Lease Disclosures

Landlords in Connecticut must provide specific disclosures to tenants, which include:

  • Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards: Any known lead paint hazards in buildings constructed before 1978 must be disclosed.
  • Bed Bug Addendum: Tenants must be informed of any bed bug infestations.
  • Condominium Interest Community Disclosure: Tenants should be informed if the property is part of a common interest community.
  • Landlord’s Identity: Landlords must provide their personal information and that of any parties managing the rental unit.
  • Sprinkler Disclosure: The lease must specify if a functional fire sprinkler system is installed and the date of its last inspection.

Security Deposit

The security deposit regulations in Connecticut are as follows:

  • Maximum Amount: For tenants aged 62 and younger, landlords may request up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. For tenants aged 62 or older, the maximum is one month’s rent.
  • Receipts: Landlords must provide receipts for all cash payments.
  • Interest Payments: Security deposits must accrue interest at an annual rate determined by the Banking Commissioner.
  • Bank Account: Security deposits must be held in a separate escrow account.
  • Returning Requirements: Security deposits must be returned within 30 days of lease termination or within 15 days of a tenant providing their forwarding address.
  • Withholding Rules: Landlords must provide a written statement detailing any deductions from the security deposit. If the deposit is wrongfully withheld, tenants can recover twice the amount withheld, plus attorney fees.

Rent Payments

Rent payment regulations include:

  • Laws: Rent is due on the first business day of each month and is considered late after the ninth.
  • Rent Control: Rent control is prohibited, allowing landlords to set and increase rent without written notice, although fair rent commissions are permitted.
  • Late Fees and Grace Period: Late fees can only be charged if specified in the lease. The fee can be the lesser of $5 per day (up to $50 per month), 5% of the overdue rent, or 5% of the tenant’s share if rental assistance is involved. Tenants have a nine-day grace period to pay rent after its due date (or four days for week-to-week tenancies) before late fees or eviction proceedings can begin.
  • Withholding Rent: Tenants may withhold rent to cover essential utilities if the landlord fails to provide them. Rent can also be withheld if the unit is seriously damaged by fire or other causes not attributable to the tenant, until the issue is resolved.

Landlord Right of Entry

Landlords have specific rights regarding entry into rental units:

  • Notice Requirements: Landlords must provide reasonable oral or written notice before entering the premises and may only enter at reasonable times. In emergencies, landlords do not need to provide notice.
  • Keys, Locks, and Security: There are no specific provisions regarding changing locks, except that landlords are prohibited from using them for eviction.

Property Repairs

Responsibilities regarding property repairs are divided between landlords and tenants:

  • Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords must ensure that rental units meet local health and safety standards and must complete major repairs within 15 days of a written request. If repairs are not made, tenants may partially withhold rent, deduct repair costs from rent, or seek a court order through the Housing Court.
  • Tenant Repairs: Tenants are responsible for keeping the rental unit in good condition, performing routine maintenance, and making minor plumbing and fixture repairs.
  • Abandonment: If tenants abandon the property, landlords can issue a notice of abandonment, reclaiming the property and terminating the lease within ten days.

Terminating a Lease

For terminating a lease, the following applies:

  • Month-to-Month Tenancy: While not explicitly stated, landlords should provide at least 30 days’ notice to terminate a monthly lease unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement.
  • Unclaimed Property: Any unclaimed tenant property must be inventoried and stored for 30 days before the landlord can dispose of it.

Statutes

FAQs

In Connecticut, landlords must provide several disclosures in a lease agreement, including information about lead-based hazards, bed bug infestations, whether the property is in a common interest community, the landlord’s identity, and details about the fire sprinkler system if installed.

In Connecticut, landlords can charge a maximum security deposit of up to two months’ rent for tenants aged 62 and younger, and up to one month’s rent for tenants aged 62 and older.

Landlords in Connecticut must return security deposits within 30 days of lease termination or within 15 days if the tenant provides a forwarding address. If the deposit is wrongfully withheld, tenants can recover twice the amount plus attorney fees.

In Connecticut, landlords can charge late fees only if specified in the lease agreement. The late fee can be the lesser of $5 per day (up to $50 per month), 5% of the overdue rent, or 5% of the tenant’s share if rental assistance is involved. Tenants have a nine-day grace period to pay rent before late fees or eviction proceedings can begin.

Landlords in Connecticut are responsible for ensuring that rental units meet local health and safety standards and must complete major repairs within 15 days of a written request from tenants. If they fail to make necessary repairs, tenants may withhold rent or deduct repair costs from their rent.

Yes, tenants in Connecticut can withhold rent if the landlord fails to provide essential utilities or if the rental unit is seriously damaged by fire or other casualty, affecting its livability. However, tenants must ensure that the issue is not caused by their own actions.

Landlords in Connecticut must provide reasonable oral or written notice before entering a rental unit, and they can only enter at reasonable times. In emergencies, landlords do not need to give prior notice.

For a month-to-month tenancy in Connecticut, landlords should provide at least 30 days’ notice to terminate the lease unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement. There is no statutory requirement for a specific notice period.