Security Deposit Laws in Connecticut
Connecticut limits deposits to two months' rent (one month for tenants 62 or older), requires the deposit plus interest to be returned within 21 days (or 15 days after a forwarding address, if later), and requires reasonable notice before entry.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Connecticut at a glance
- Security deposit limit
- 2 months' rent
- 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older)
- Deposit return deadline
- 21 days
- 21 days after termination of tenancy or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later
- Interest on deposits
- Required
- Notice before landlord entry
- See the rule
- Reasonable written or oral notice
The rules in Connecticut
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
Connecticut limits security deposits to 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?
Connecticut rule: 21 days after termination of tenancy or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut law requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Connecticut?
Connecticut rule: Reasonable written or oral notice.
Where do the Connecticut rules for residential leases come from?
They come from Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 831, Sec. 47a-21 and Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 830, Sec. 47a-16. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Connecticut compares
Connecticut is one of 30 jurisdictions that cap deposits by law. Its 21-day return deadline is shorter than the most common deadline of 30 days; 9 jurisdictions require a faster return.
What this means in practice
Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.
Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.
Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.