Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Connecticut

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Connecticut, mainly from the Connecticut General Statutes, chapters 830 to 832 (Landlord and Tenant). Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older)1,2,3Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(b)

A landlord may not ask for a deposit of more than two months' rent, or more than one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older.

Deposit return deadline

21 days1,2,3Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(d)(2)

The landlord must return the deposit, with a written list of any deductions, within 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address in writing, whichever is later.

Interest on deposits

Required, at least the deposit index rate1,2,3Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(i)

Landlords must pay interest on deposits each year at no less than the rate set by the state deposit index.

Late fees

After 9 days, lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5%4,5Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15a

A late fee is allowed only under a written lease once rent is more than nine days late (four days for weekly rent). It may not be more than $5 a day up to $50, or 5% of the late payment, whichever is less.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice of a rent increase

45 days (one full term for leases of a month or less)6,7Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-4e

A landlord must give written notice at least 45 days before a rent increase takes effect. For a lease of one month or less, such as month-to-month, the notice must be at least one full rental term.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, fair rent commissions in towns of 25,000 or more8,9,10Conn. Gen. Stat. 7-148b, 7-148d

There is no statewide rent cap, but every town with 25,000 or more residents must have a fair rent commission. A commission can hear complaints and limit a rent it finds excessive.

Landlord entry

Reasonable notice11,12Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-16(c)

The landlord must give reasonable written or oral notice before entering and may enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency.

Notice for unpaid rent

3 days, after the 9-day grace period13,14Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23(a)

If rent is still unpaid after the nine-day grace period, the landlord may serve a written notice to quit that gives the tenant at least three days before the lease ends.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Chapter 831, Security Deposits (revised to January 1, 2026), Connecticut General Assemblyofficial
  2. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21 (2025), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  3. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  4. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15a (2025), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  5. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15a, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  6. Chapter 830, Rights and Responsibilities of Landlord and Tenant (revised to January 1, 2026), Connecticut General Assemblyofficial
  7. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-4e (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  8. Chapter 98, Municipal Powers, Secs. 7-148b to 7-148f (revised to January 1, 2026), Connecticut General Assemblyofficial
  9. Conn. Gen. Stat. 7-148b (2024 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  10. Conn. Gen. Stat. 7-148d, FindLaw (quotes state code)secondary
  11. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-16 (2025), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  12. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-16, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  13. Chapter 832, Summary Process (revised to January 1, 2026), Connecticut General Assemblyofficial
  14. Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.