Connecticut (CT) law guide
Quick answer
Connecticut caps security deposits at 2 months' rent (1 month for tenants 62+) and requires landlords to return them within 21 days of move-out. There is no statewide rent control, but tenants get a 9-day grace period before rent is legally late on a monthly lease. Landlords must serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction over unpaid rent.
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62+)
Deposit return deadline
21 days after tenancy ends
Statewide rent control
None
Nonpayment eviction notice
3 days to pay or quit
Connecticut rental market snapshot
Population
3.6 million
Renter households
About 34% of households rent statewide; over 70% in Hartford and New Haven
Median rent
About $2,200/mo for a 2-bedroom (2026 estimate)
Largest rental markets
Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury
Rental demand is strongest in New Haven and Stamford, where 2BR rents can top $3,000/mo, while Hartford remains more affordable at roughly $1,500/mo.
Connecticut landlords may collect a maximum of 2 months' rent as a security deposit. Tenants who are 62 years or older are protected by a lower cap of 1 month's rent (CGS § 47a-21).
The deposit must be returned, with interest, within 21 days of the tenancy ending. If the tenant has not yet provided a forwarding address, the clock starts when the landlord receives that address in writing, with an additional 15-day window. Withholding a deposit improperly can cost the landlord double the wrongfully withheld amount.
Connecticut has no statewide rent control, so landlords may raise rent by any amount. On a month-to-month lease, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Rent is not legally late on a monthly lease until after a 9-day grace period (4 days on a week-to-week lease). Landlords may charge a late fee after that grace period expires, though state law does not cap the fee amount.
For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before filing in court. The tenant must pay or vacate within those 3 days; if they do not, the landlord may start a summary process (eviction) action in Superior Court.
Other grounds for eviction include lease violations, illegal activity, and holdover after lease expiration. Each ground has its own required notice period. Connecticut courts oversee the full process, and self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings) are illegal.
Under CGS § 47a-16, landlords must give reasonable written or oral notice before entering. Connecticut law does not specify an exact number of hours, but 24 hours' notice is the widely accepted standard in practice. Entry must occur at reasonable times, and landlords may enter without notice only in a genuine emergency.
Landlords must make requested repairs in a reasonable time, typically interpreted as within 15 days of written notice for non-emergency issues. Tenants may pursue rent withholding or lease termination if the landlord fails to act.
Connecticut landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition under the implied warranty of habitability. This covers working heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural safety. Tenants should document problems in writing to start the repair clock.
Retaliation is prohibited under CGS § 47a-20. A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services in response to a tenant reporting code violations, contacting housing authorities, or organizing with other tenants. Courts presume retaliation if adverse action follows a protected act within 90 days.
Connecticut's fair housing law goes beyond federal protections. In addition to the standard federal classes, state law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, source of income (including housing vouchers), and domestic violence victim status. Complaints are handled by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO).
Tenants may break a lease early without penalty for specific reasons: active military duty, domestic violence, landlord breach of habitability, or a health condition that makes the unit unfit. Otherwise, tenants remain liable for rent through the end of the lease unless the landlord re-rents the unit. Small claims court in Connecticut handles disputes up to $5,000.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Connecticut General Statutes Title 47a, Chapter 830. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-05.
Connecticut FAQ
Connecticut landlords can charge a maximum of **2 months' rent**. Tenants who are **62 or older** are protected by a lower cap of **1 month's rent**. Collecting more than the legal limit is a violation of CGS § 47a-21.
The landlord has **21 days** from the end of the tenancy to return the deposit with interest or provide a written itemized list of deductions. If the tenant has not yet given a forwarding address, the landlord has **15 days** from receiving that address in writing.
Connecticut has **no statewide rent control**, so there is no legal cap on rent increases. On a month-to-month lease, the landlord must give at least **30 days' written notice** before a rent increase takes effect.
Connecticut law requires **reasonable notice** before entry, which is generally understood to mean at least **24 hours** in practice. The statute (CGS § 47a-16) does not specify an exact hour count but does require entry to occur at **reasonable times**. Emergency entry is permitted without notice.
The landlord must first serve a **3-day notice to pay or quit**. If the tenant does not pay or vacate within 3 days, the landlord can file a summary process eviction action in Connecticut Superior Court (Housing Session). Self-help evictions such as changing locks are illegal.
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