Connecticut Statewide Rule
Connecticut Security Deposit Law: Two-Month Cap, 30-Day Return
Key Facts
- Deposit cap
- Two months' rent (one month if tenant is 62 or older)
- Return deadline
- 30 days after termination, or 15 days after written forwarding address, whichever is later
- Itemized statement
- Required with any withholding; interest paid/credited annually
- Statute
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
- Penalty
- Twice the deposit for bad-faith retention
Summary
Connecticut caps a residential security deposit at two months' rent under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, or one month if the tenant is 62 or older. The landlord must return the deposit with accrued interest, plus an itemized statement of any deductions, within 30 days of termination, or owe twice the deposit for bad-faith retention.
Sec. 47a-21. Security deposits. (a) Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) “Accrued interest” means the interest due on a security deposit as provided in subsection (i) of this section, compounded annually to the extent applicable. (2) “Commissioner” means the Banking Commissioner. (3) “Escrow account” means any account at a financial institution which is not subject to execution by the creditors of the escrow agent and includes a clients' funds account. (4) “Escrow agent” means the person in whose name an escrow account is maintained. (5) “Financial institution” means any state bank and trust company, national bank, savings bank, federal savings bank, savings and loan association, and federal savings and loan association that is located in this state. (6) “Forwarding address” means the address to which a security deposit may be mailed for delivery to a former tenant. (7) “Landlord” means any landlord of residential real property, and includes (A) any receiver; (B) any successor; and (C) any tenant who sublets his premises. (8) “Receiver” means any person who is appointed or authorized by any state, federal or probate court to receive rents from tenants, and includes trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, conservators, receivers, and receivers of rent. (9) “Rent receiver” means a receiver who lacks court authorization to return security deposits and to inspect the premises of tenants and former tenants.
Full Breakdown
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, a landlord may not demand a security deposit exceeding two months' rent, reduced to one month's rent once the tenant reaches age 62. Deposits must be held in escrow and accrue interest, which is paid or credited to the tenant annually. After a tenancy ends, the landlord must, "not later than thirty days after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of such tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later," deliver the deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deductions together with "a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of such damages." Deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
Violations & Penalties
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, a landlord who violates the return-and-itemization provisions "shall be liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid by such tenant." If the only failure is to deliver accrued interest, liability is ten dollars or twice the accrued interest, whichever is greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Connecticut?
Sources
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