Connecticut Landlord-Tenant Law
The rules for renting in Connecticut — security deposits, eviction, ending a lease, repairs and rent — with the statute or official page behind every answer.
Quick answers for Connecticut
- Security deposit limit
- 2 months' rent; 1 month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. A tenant who turns 62 after paying more than one month's rent can ask for the excess back. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b)
- Deposit return deadline
- 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)
- Notice for unpaid rent
- Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23
- Ending a month-to-month lease
- Landlord: Notice to Quit for lapse of time served at least 3 days before the quit date (quit date should coincide with the end of a rental period). Tenant: no statutory notice period found. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-3b, 47a-23
- Landlord entry notice
- Reasonable written or oral notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. No fixed number of hours in the statute. Without consent, entry only in an emergency, under § 47a-16a (extended absence), by court order, or after abandonment. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-16, 47a-18a
- Rent control / increase limits
- No statewide rent control or rent cap. Towns may create Fair Rent Commissions, which can rule that a rent or increase is excessive. P.A. 22-30 required specified larger towns to have a commission by July 1, 2023. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f; P.A. 22-30 (as summarized in Judicial Branch JDP-HM-31)
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Security Deposits in Connecticut
| Security deposit limit | 2 months' rent; 1 month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. A tenant who turns 62 after paying more than one month's rent can ask for the excess back. Excess-refund-at-62 rule added by P.A. 17-236. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b) |
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| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. P.A. 23-207 shortened the period from 30 to 21 days. The Judicial Branch booklet JDP-HM-31 (Rev. 1/26) still says 30 days; the statute controls. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Itemized deductions | Landlord must return the full deposit plus interest, or the balance after deductions together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of each damage, within the § 47a-21(d)(2) deadline. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Interest on deposits | Required. Rate for each calendar year is set at not less than the deposit index (Banking Commissioner), and in no event less than 1.5%. Paid annually on the tenancy anniversary or credited to rent; accrued interest due within 21 days at end of tenancy. No interest for any month the tenant was more than 10 days late, unless the landlord charged a late fee for that month. Lease may not require tenant to waive deposit interest (§ 47a-4(a)(4)). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i) |
| Penalty for withholding | Landlord who misses the deadline or itemization requirement is liable for twice the amount of the security deposit. If the only violation is unpaid interest, liability is the greater of $10 or twice the accrued interest. Knowing and wilful failure is also a fine of up to $250 per offense. |
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Eviction in Connecticut
| Notice for unpaid rent | Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Online-payment extension added by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1. 3-day notice to quit rule is in § 47a-23 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_832.htm). Since Oct. 1, 2021 a plain-language right-to-counsel notice must be attached to the notice to quit (§ 47a-75(f)(2)). |
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| Notice for lease violations | Written notice specifying the breach and terminating the lease on a date at least 15 days after receipt; if the breach can be fixed by repair or paying damages and the tenant does so within 15 days, the lease does not terminate. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination without another cure chance. No cure notice is required for nonpayment, serious nuisance, or a § 47a-11(h) violation. After this 'Kapa' notice, landlord still serves a Notice to Quit (§ 47a-23). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15 |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. § 53a-214 text verified at https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_952.htm (P.A. 25-44 amended it, extending it to nonresidential lessees). § 53a-214 itself does not mention utilities. |
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Notice to Vacate in Connecticut
| Ending a month-to-month lease | Landlord: Notice to Quit for lapse of time served at least 3 days before the quit date (quit date should coincide with the end of a rental period). Tenant: no statutory notice period found. Tenants 62+ or with a qualifying disability in buildings of 5+ units cannot be evicted for lapse of time; only for listed good causes (§ 47a-23c). Rent increases require at least 45 days' written notice for agreements entered/renewed on or after Oct. 1, 2024 (§ 47a-4e, P.A. 24-143). |
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Landlord Entry in Connecticut
| Landlord entry notice | Reasonable written or oral notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. No fixed number of hours in the statute. Without consent, entry only in an emergency, under § 47a-16a (extended absence), by court order, or after abandonment. Unlawful entry or repeated harassing demands: tenant may recover actual damages of not less than one month's rent plus attorney's fees (§ 47a-18a). |
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Repairs & Habitability in Connecticut
| Repair and deduct | Limited to essential services (heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, etc.). After notice, if landlord fails to supply an essential service, tenant may procure reasonable amounts and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent; or obtain substitute housing if not restored within 48 hours (rent abates); or, if the failure is wilful, terminate and recover the greater of 2 months' rent or double actual damages. No general repair-and-deduct remedy for non-essential repairs found. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13 |
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| Withholding rent | Tenant may not simply withhold. Instead, after complaining to the municipal code agency at least 21 days earlier, the tenant may file a sworn complaint in Superior Court (housing session) and pay rent into court (deposit each month's rent with the clerk). Fee $25 (waivable); hearing within 14 days. Court can order repairs, appoint a receiver, and award damages including retroactive rent abatement. Not available if a valid nonpayment notice to quit was served first. P.A. 25-111 made a conforming change to § 47a-14h(a) (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_830.htm). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h |
| Retaliation protection | Landlord may not sue for possession, raise rent, or reduce services within 6 months after the tenant in good faith: tries to remedy a code violation (including contacting officials or filing a fair rent commission complaint); triggers a municipal notice or order; requests repairs; files a § 47a-14h action; or organizes or joins a tenants' union. Exceptions include nonpayment, lease violations, and good-faith owner occupancy. Annotations treat the 6-month window as a rebuttable presumption; the statute text does not use that word. |
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Rent Increases & Late Fees in Connecticut
| Rent control / increase limits | No statewide rent control or rent cap. Towns may create Fair Rent Commissions, which can rule that a rent or increase is excessive. P.A. 22-30 required specified larger towns to have a commission by July 1, 2023. |
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| Late fees | No late fee until the 9-day grace period expires (4 days for weekly). Late charge must be in a written agreement and may not exceed the lesser of (1) $5 per day up to $50, or (2) 5% of the delinquent payment (5% of the tenant's share if rent is partly paid by a government or charity). Only one late charge per delinquent payment. Cap added by P.A. 23-207. |
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Breaking a Lease in Connecticut
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | A tenant who is a victim of family violence (leases entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2011), or of sexual assault, including a parent or guardian with physical custody of a dependent victim (leases on or after Jan. 1, 2014), may end the lease without penalty or liability for the rest of the term. The tenant must reasonably believe it is necessary to leave because of fear of imminent harm to the tenant or a dependent, and must give the landlord at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must include a statement under oath or affirmation that the tenant or dependent is a victim, the intended termination date, and that the tenant has moved out or will move out by that date (anything left behind is treated as abandoned). It must also include either (a) a police or court record of the act dated no more than 90 days before the notice, or (b) a signed statement from an employee of the Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services or the Office of the Victim Advocate dated no more than 30 days before the notice. The tenant still owes rent arrears and damages incurred before termination, and co-tenants stay liable. 'Family violence' (§ 46b-38a(1)) means physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or threatened violence causing fear of imminent harm between family or household members, and expressly includes stalking or a pattern of threatening between them. Family or household members include current or former spouses, relatives, people who live or lived together, people with a child in common, and current or recent dating partners. Stalking by someone outside these relationships is not covered (sexual assault is covered separately). The landlord may seek an injunction in housing court if the requirements were not met (§ 47a-11e(f)). Separately, a tenant named as a protected person in a protective or restraining order may request a lock change (§ 47a-7b, not reviewed in detail). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e |
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| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | Chapter 830 has no state-law early termination right for military service (beyond the federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or seniors moving into care. Other termination rights in the chapter: the tenant may terminate on 14 days' written notice if the landlord's material noncompliance recurs within 6 months after notice (§ 47a-12); may terminate if essential services are wilfully cut off (§ 47a-13); and may vacate and terminate if fire or casualty makes the unit unusable, giving written notice within 14 days (§ 47a-14). Tenant death: when the sole occupant dies, the landlord may follow a probate-court affidavit and inventory process to regain possession (§ 47a-11d). This is a landlord remedy, not an estate termination right. Only Title 47a, chapter 830, was searched (terms: armed forces, military, nursing home, assisted living). A military lease-termination provision elsewhere in the General Statutes (e.g., Title 27) was not checked. |
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Squatters & Abandoned Property in Connecticut
| Squatters / unauthorized occupants | No separate squatter-removal statute. An owner removes someone who never had a right or privilege to occupy the premises through the regular eviction (summary process) route: a written notice to quit served by a proper officer at least 3 days before the quit date, then a summary process action. The occupant can be named as 'John Doe' or 'Jane Doe' if their name is unknown. After judgment, a state marshal carries out the eviction. Anyone who stays after the marshal's eviction time and refuses to leave when directed may be arrested for first-degree criminal trespass (§ 53a-107). Bills for fast police or marshal removal by owner affidavit did not pass: 2025 HB 7078 (motion failed in Appropriations on 5/5/2025), 2025 HB 6338 (last action 4/22/2025, referred to Judiciary), and 2026 sHB 5367 (last action 3/25/2026, tabled for the House calendar). The 2026 session has since ended. Status was checked on cga.ct.gov bill status pages. |
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| Belongings left behind | Abandoned unit (occupants left without notice and do not intend to return): the landlord may send notice to each occupant's last-known address by both regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice must say the landlord (1) believes the unit is abandoned, (2) will re-enter unless the occupant makes contact within 10 days of receiving it, (3) will otherwise remove the belongings and re-rent, and (4) will dispose of anything not reclaimed within 30 days after the notice. It must be in clear, simple language and give the landlord's phone number and mailing address. The landlord must inventory the belongings, remove them, and keep them at least 30 days, then may dispose of them. After an eviction judgment: the state marshal delivers removed belongings to storage designated by the town. If they are not reclaimed and the storage costs are not paid within 15 days, the town sells them at public auction after one week's posted notice. The net proceeds go to the tenant if claimed within 30 days. A deceased sole occupant's belongings follow a separate 60-day probate-court affidavit and inventory process. Abandonment means the occupants left without notice and do not intend to return. That intent may be shown by removal of substantially all belongings plus either more than 2 months of unpaid rent or an express statement that they will not return (§ 47a-11b(a)). If the landlord knows, or reasonably should know, that the unit was not abandoned, the full eviction process is still required (§ 47a-11b(c)). Post-eviction storage rules (§ 47a-42) were verified at https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_832.htm (amended by P.A. 25-78). |
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Rental Fees in Connecticut
| Application / screening fees | Rental application fees are banned. A landlord may not charge a prospective tenant any fee to process, review, or accept a rental application. Before or at the start of the tenancy, the only allowed charges are a security deposit, first month's rent, a deposit for a key or special equipment, and a tenant screening report fee. The screening fee may not exceed $50, plus an annual consumer price index adjustment set by the Commissioner of Housing. A landlord who charges it must give the applicant a copy of the screening report (or information on how to get it from the provider) and a copy of the screening company's receipt or invoice. Enacted by P.A. 23-207, § 6. The $50 cap applies on and after October 1, 2023. The current CPI-adjusted dollar amount published by the Department of Housing was not verified. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4d |
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| Other rental fees | Move-in and move-out fees are banned (§ 47a-4d(b)). Advertised rent must include every fee the tenant is required to pay on a periodic basis, prorated, even fees charged by default that the tenant could opt out of. Excluded from that rule: actual-cost payment processing fees (if a fee-free payment option is offered), pet fees or deposits, submetered or variable direct-paid utilities, damage charges, and separate service fees such as lockouts or key replacement. Starting April 1, 2026, every written lease must have as its first page a completed copy of the Department of Housing's standardized rental terms summary form. Tenant payments must be applied to rent first, then to other fees. The penalty for violating § 47a-7d is one month's rent payable to the tenant, plus possible attorney's fees. Landlords may not require electronic funds transfer as the only way to pay rent or a deposit (§ 47a-4c). On request, the landlord must give an occupant a copy of the ledger showing charges, payments, and balance (§ 47a-3a(d)). Late fees are capped separately (§ 47a-15a(b)). § 47a-7d was added by P.A. 25-44, § 9, and § 47a-3a(d) by P.A. 25-146 (effective July 1, 2025). § 47a-4c (lease executed on or after Oct. 1, 2013) was verified at https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_830.htm. Also, since January 1, 2026, using revenue-management (algorithmic rent-setting) software is an unfair trade practice (§ 47a-4f, Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1). The § 47a-7d supplement text shows no separate effective date for the advertising rule. |
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Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel in Connecticut
| Section 8 / source of income | Yes. It is a discriminatory housing practice to refuse to rent to someone, or to treat them differently in rental terms or advertising, because of their 'lawful source of income.' This means income from Social Security, SSI, housing assistance (which includes vouchers), child support, alimony, or public or state-administered general assistance. A landlord may still deny solely for insufficient income. Exempt: renting rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home, and units in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling. Violation is a class D misdemeanor. Complaints go to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The definition of 'lawful source of income' in § 46a-63(3) applies to the whole chapter. It was verified at https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_814c.htm. The term 'housing assistance' is not further defined there, so whether it covers every type of subsidy is an interpretation question. |
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| Eviction record sealing | Partial: records are automatically removed from the court website, not sealed. Within 30 days after an eviction case is withdrawn, dismissed or nonsuited on any grounds, or ends in a final judgment for the tenant, the Judicial Branch must remove the case and identifying information from its website. The removal applies to cases disposed of before or after July 1, 2024. Removed records may not be included in bulk sales of court records. No person may disclose them for a commercial purpose, including tenant screening and consumer reports. Cases that end in a judgment for the landlord are not removed. If there is later activity or an appeal, the case is restored and stays online until 30 days after final disposition. Enacted by P.A. 23-207, § 23 (effective July 1, 2024) and amended by P.A. 24-88. No statute was found for sealing or expunging the court file itself. Judicial opinions may still be published. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26j |
| Right to a lawyer in eviction | Yes, a statewide right-to-counsel program, limited by available funding. Income-eligible tenants and occupants get free legal representation in matters started on or after July 1, 2021: notices to quit, eviction cases, and administrative proceedings to keep a housing subsidy or stop a lease termination. Income-eligible means household income at or below 80% of state median income, or receiving TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, refugee resettlement benefits, state rental assistance, or a Housing Choice Voucher. The program is phased in by priority criteria and funding. It does not create a right a tenant can enforce against the providers. Since October 1, 2021, landlords must attach the Judicial Branch's one-page right-to-counsel notice to every notice to quit, eviction summons and complaint, subsidized-housing lease termination notice, and subsidy termination notice. Current funding levels and which areas are covered were not verified. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-75 |
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Mold, Pests, Heat & AC in Connecticut
| Mold | No statute — general habitability/repair duty applies. Connecticut has no mold-specific disclosure or remediation law for rentals. The landlord must comply with the tenement-house law and all building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety, and make all repairs needed to keep the premises fit and habitable. Stricter local codes take precedence. Tenants may enforce the landlord's duties through a housing court action (§ 47a-14h), and a lease may not allow the landlord to collect rent for any period in which it fails to meet § 47a-7(a) (§ 47a-4a). The duty shifts to the tenant only if the tenant or the tenant's household or guests intentionally made the unit unfit. |
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| Pests & bed bugs | Connecticut has a detailed bed-bug statute. The tenant must promptly tell the landlord orally or in writing about a known or suspected infestation. Within five business days the landlord must inspect (or have a qualified inspector inspect) the unit and contiguous units it owns, and if bed bugs are found, begin effective treatment within five business days. The landlord pays for inspection and treatment; the tenant pays to prepare the unit and must cooperate, and can be liable for extra treatments caused by knowing, unreasonable noncompliance. The landlord may not rent a unit it knows or suspects is infested, must disclose current infestations in the unit or contiguous units before renting, and on request must give the date of the last clean inspection. A landlord who violates § 47a-7a is liable for reasonable attorney's fees and the greater of $250 or actual damages. The landlord must offer reasonable help to tenants physically unable to prepare and may charge a reasonable amount on a repayment schedule of up to six months. The landlord need not provide alternative lodging or replace belongings. Other pests fall under the general habitability duty. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7a |
| Heat | Yes. The landlord must supply reasonable heat, unless the building is not required by law to have heating or the heat is generated by equipment in the tenant's exclusive control or supplied by a direct utility connection, and must keep heating facilities in good and safe working order. If the landlord fails to supply heat for reasons within its control, the tenant may give notice and buy heat and deduct the cost from rent, or get substitute housing if not restored within 48 hours. The landlord-tenant chapter sets no minimum indoor temperature; municipal housing codes may. In a single-family home, landlord and tenant may agree in writing that the tenant supplies heat (§ 47a-7(c)). |
| Air conditioning | No state requirement to provide air conditioning and no maximum indoor temperature. The landlord must keep any facilities and appliances it supplies in good and safe working order, and the tenant must use air conditioning and other facilities reasonably. § 47a-7(a)(4) lists heating and ventilating facilities but not air conditioning by name; whether a landlord-supplied AC unit counts as a 'facility or appliance' depends on the lease and facts. |
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Privacy, Guests & Animals in Connecticut
| Cameras & privacy | No landlord-specific statute. Knowingly recording another person's image without knowledge and consent while they are not in plain view and reasonably expect privacy, with malice or sexual intent, is voyeurism (felony). Mechanical overhearing or recording of a conversation without the consent of at least one party, by someone not present, is eavesdropping (class D felony). The landlord must give reasonable written or oral notice and enter only at reasonable times, except in emergencies, and may not abuse the right of entry to harass the tenant (§ 47a-16). |
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| Guests & occupants | No statute — lease governs. Connecticut sets no guest-versus-tenant rule, statewide occupancy limit or roommate right for private rentals. The tenant must require people on the premises with the tenant's consent to behave so as not to disturb neighbors or create a nuisance. Local housing codes may set occupancy limits. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11(g) |
| Service & support animals (state law) | Connecticut has no housing-specific statute on emotional support animal documentation, misrepresentation penalties or pet-fee limits. Disability discrimination in housing is prohibited by the state fair housing law, and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities must post educational materials on the differences between service, emotional support and therapy animals and how a landlord may lawfully determine which an animal is. Service animals in public accommodations may be kept at no extra charge. P.A. 24-18 updated the public-accommodation service-animal language. Reasonable-accommodation requests for assistance animals in housing are decided under state and federal fair housing law. |
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How eviction works in Connecticut
Eviction cases are heard in: Superior Court (Housing Session in Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Stamford-Norwalk; otherwise the geographical area court).
- Notice to Quit on the statutory form, served by a state marshal or indifferent person, at least 3 days before the quit date (after the 9-day grace period for nonpayment; after a 15-day cure notice for most lease violations), with the right-to-counsel notice attached
- If tenant stays, writ, summons and complaint served; return day up to 6 days after service
- Tenant files an Appearance within 2 days after the return day; housing mediation, then trial
- Judgment for possession (default judgment if no appearance)
- Automatic 5-day stay of execution (excluding Sundays and legal holidays); tenant may apply for a stay of up to 6 months (3 months for nonpayment, only on depositing the full arrearage)
- Summary process execution; state marshal gives at least 24 hours' notice and removes the tenant; possessions go to town storage (auction after 15 days)
Appearance due within 2 days after the return day; if appearance but no pleading within 2 days after return day, landlord may move for default and tenant has 3 days to respond.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-23, 47a-23a, 47a-26, 47a-26a, 47a-35, 47a-37 to 47a-39, 47a-42
What surprises people about Connecticut rental law
- Tenants 62+ or with a qualifying disability in buildings with 5+ units can only be evicted for specific good causes, and since Jan. 1, 2024 landlords must give them a written notice of these rights (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23c, P.A. 23-207)
- Rent increases need at least 45 days' written notice for leases entered or renewed on or after Oct. 1, 2024 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4e, P.A. 24-143); note the Judicial Branch booklet JDP-HM-31 still says no notice is required
- Tenant screening fee capped at $50 plus CPI adjustment and move-in/move-out fees barred (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4d, P.A. 23-207)
- From April 1, 2026 the first page of a written lease must be the state's standardized rental terms summary form, and advertised rent must include recurring mandatory fees (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7d, P.A. 25-44)
- Algorithmic rent-setting 'revenue management devices' using nonpublic competitor data are unlawful from Jan. 1, 2026 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4f, Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1)
- Landlords must give a ledger on request and receipts for cash rent (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3a(d), P.A. 25-146)
- Eviction records are removed from the Judicial Branch website within 30 days after dismissal, withdrawal, or judgment for the tenant (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26j, P.A. 23-207)
Federal law that also applies in Connecticut
These federal rules apply on top of Connecticut law, mostly to discrimination, servicemembers, survivors and federally assisted housing:
- Fair Housing Act: protected classes, covered housing and exemptions: Save every listing, text and email. A discriminatory ad is illegal even when the landlord's unit is otherwise exempt. More
- Assistance animals (service and emotional support animals) in housing: Ask for the accommodation in writing, keep a copy, and if a disability or the need for the animal is not obvious, offer reliable documentation of it. More
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: ending a lease early: Deliver the notice and orders by a method you can prove, such as certified mail with return receipt, and keep copies. More
- Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: eviction protection: Tell the court in writing that you or your spouse are on active duty and ask for an SCRA stay. More
- VAWA housing protections: Ask the landlord or housing authority for its VAWA emergency transfer plan and request a transfer in writing. More
- CARES Act 30-day notice to vacate (covered dwellings): If your building has a federally backed mortgage or federal subsidy and you received less than 30 days' notice to vacate, raise the CARES Act as a defense. More
- HUD 30-day nonpayment notice (public housing and project-based Section 8): If you pay the full amount listed in the notice within 30 days, the landlord cannot file for eviction over that rent. More
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) basics for private landlords: If a voucher landlord asks for 'side payments' above your share of the rent, refuse and report it to your PHA. More
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 housing): If your pre-1978 lease came with no lead disclosure form and pamphlet, ask for them in writing before signing. More
- FCRA tenant screening: adverse action notices and disputes: Request your free report from the screening company within 60 days of a denial and dispute any errors in writing with supporting documents. More
- Rental 'junk fee' rulemaking and enforcement (FTC/CFPB): Before paying an application fee, ask in writing for the total monthly cost including every mandatory fee. More
- Federal eviction moratoria: Check your state and city rules, since any eviction pause now comes from local, not federal, law. More
City rules in Connecticut
These cities add their own tenant protections on top of state law:
For landlords
How to evict a tenant in Connecticut — steps, cost, timeline and forms.
Common Connecticut questions
- Can a landlord enter without notice or permission?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- Can I withhold rent for repairs?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give to end a lease or not renew?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- How long does a landlord have to sue for unpaid rent or damages?
- Can a landlord accept rent during an eviction?
- Can you be evicted in the winter?
- Can a landlord give an eviction notice by text or email?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Does a landlord have to give you a copy of the lease?
- What happens to tenants if the landlord goes into foreclosure?
- How long does a landlord have to keep a tenant's belongings?
- How do you remove a squatter?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee?
- What rental fees are illegal (junk fees)?
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
- What are my rights without a written lease?
- Does a landlord have to fix mold?
- Who pays for pest control and bed bugs in a rental?
- Does a landlord have to provide heat?
- Does a landlord have to provide air conditioning?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
- Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental?
- Can a landlord limit overnight guests or roommates?
- Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator
- Late Fee Checker
- Rent Increase Calculator
How Connecticut compares to neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Notice for unpaid rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent; 1 month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. A tenant who turns 62 after paying more than one month's rent can ask for the excess back. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b) | 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) | Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23 |
| Massachusetts | Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord (or the landlord's agent) may require only: first full month's rent, last full month's rent (at the same rate as the first), a security deposit of up to one month's rent, and the purchase and installation cost of a new lock and key. No other upfront charges (e.g., application, pet, or landlord-side broker fees) are allowed. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b) | 30 days after the tenancy ends (end of a tenancy at will or end of the lease term). The landlord must return the deposit, or whatever balance remains, with any accrued interest. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4) | 14 days' written notice to quit. For tenants at will: a tenant who has not received a similar notice in the previous 12 months can cure by paying the full rent due within 10 days after receiving the notice, and the notice must state this right. For tenants with a lease: the tenant can cure by paying all rent due, plus interest and costs, on or before the day the answer is due in the eviction case. G.L. c. 186, §§ 11, 12, 31 |
| New York | One month's rent N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(a) | 14 days after the tenant vacates N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e) | 14-day written rent demand before filing a nonpayment proceeding. Separately, if rent is not received within 5 days of the due date, the landlord must send the tenant a certified-mail notice that rent was not received; failure is an affirmative defense to a nonpayment case. N.Y. RPAPL § 711(2); N.Y. RPL § 235-e(d) |
| Rhode Island | One month's periodic rent. A separate furniture deposit (also capped at one month's rent) is allowed only for furnished units whose furniture has a replacement value of $5,000 or more. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e) | 20 days after the latest of: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) | Once rent is 15 days in arrears, landlord may mail a written demand; tenant has 5 days from mailing to pay or the rental agreement terminates. Landlord may file no earlier than the 6th day after mailing. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35 |
Connecticut landlord-tenant FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
2 months' rent; 1 month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. A tenant who turns 62 after paying more than one month's rent can ask for the excess back. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b))
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?
21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Connecticut?
Required. Rate for each calendar year is set at not less than the deposit index (Banking Commissioner), and in no event less than 1.5%. Paid annually on the tenancy anniversary or credited to rent; accrued interest due within 21 days at end of tenancy. No interest for any month the tenant was more than 10 days late, unless the landlord charged a late fee for that month. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i))
Does a landlord in Connecticut have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Landlord must return the full deposit plus interest, or the balance after deductions together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of each damage, within the § 47a-21(d)(2) deadline. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2))
What happens if a landlord in Connecticut wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Landlord who misses the deadline or itemization requirement is liable for twice the amount of the security deposit. If the only violation is unpaid interest, liability is the greater of $10 or twice the accrued interest. Knowing and wilful failure is also a fine of up to $250 per offense. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2), (k)(1))
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Connecticut?
Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Connecticut?
Written notice specifying the breach and terminating the lease on a date at least 15 days after receipt; if the breach can be fixed by repair or paying damages and the tenant does so within 15 days, the lease does not terminate. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination without another cure chance. No cure notice is required for nonpayment, serious nuisance, or a § 47a-11(h) violation. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15)
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Connecticut?
Landlord: Notice to Quit for lapse of time served at least 3 days before the quit date (quit date should coincide with the end of a rental period). Tenant: no statutory notice period found. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-3b, 47a-23)
Can a landlord enter without notice in Connecticut?
Reasonable written or oral notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. No fixed number of hours in the statute. Without consent, entry only in an emergency, under § 47a-16a (extended absence), by court order, or after abandonment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-16, 47a-18a)
Is there a limit on late fees in Connecticut?
No late fee until the 9-day grace period expires (4 days for weekly). Late charge must be in a written agreement and may not exceed the lesser of (1) $5 per day up to $50, or (2) 5% of the delinquent payment (5% of the tenant's share if rent is partly paid by a government or charity). Only one late charge per delinquent payment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(b), 47a-4(a)(8)-(9))
Can a tenant repair and deduct from rent in Connecticut?
Limited to essential services (heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, etc.). After notice, if landlord fails to supply an essential service, tenant may procure reasonable amounts and deduct the actual, reasonable cost from rent; or obtain substitute housing if not restored within 48 hours (rent abates); or, if the failure is wilful, terminate and recover the greater of 2 months' rent or double actual damages. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13)
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Connecticut?
Tenant may not simply withhold. Instead, after complaining to the municipal code agency at least 21 days earlier, the tenant may file a sworn complaint in Superior Court (housing session) and pay rent into court (deposit each month's rent with the clerk). Fee $25 (waivable); hearing within 14 days. Court can order repairs, appoint a receiver, and award damages including retroactive rent abatement. Not available if a valid nonpayment notice to quit was served first. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Connecticut?
Landlord may not sue for possession, raise rent, or reduce services within 6 months after the tenant in good faith: tries to remedy a code violation (including contacting officials or filing a fair rent commission complaint); triggers a municipal notice or order; requests repairs; files a § 47a-14h action; or organizes or joins a tenants' union. Exceptions include nonpayment, lease violations, and good-faith owner occupancy. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-20, 47a-20a)
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Connecticut?
No statewide rent control or rent cap. Towns may create Fair Rent Commissions, which can rule that a rent or increase is excessive. P.A. 22-30 required specified larger towns to have a commission by July 1, 2023. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f; P.A. 22-30 (as summarized in Judicial Branch JDP-HM-31))
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Connecticut?
Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-43, 47a-46, 53a-214, 47a-13)
What is the small claims court limit in Connecticut for a deposit dispute?
$5,000 (Judicial Branch booklet JDP-HM-31 (Rev. 1/26))
How do you remove a squatter in Connecticut?
No separate squatter-removal statute. An owner removes someone who never had a right or privilege to occupy the premises through the regular eviction (summary process) route: a written notice to quit served by a proper officer at least 3 days before the quit date, then a summary process action. The occupant can be named as 'John Doe' or 'Jane Doe' if their name is unknown. After judgment, a state marshal carries out the eviction. Anyone who stays after the marshal's eviction time and refuses to leave when directed may be arrested for first-degree criminal trespass (§ 53a-107). (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-23(a)(2), (b), (c); 47a-42(a)-(b))
What can a landlord do with a tenant's abandoned property in Connecticut?
Abandoned unit (occupants left without notice and do not intend to return): the landlord may send notice to each occupant's last-known address by both regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice must say the landlord (1) believes the unit is abandoned, (2) will re-enter unless the occupant makes contact within 10 days of receiving it, (3) will otherwise remove the belongings and re-rent, and (4) will dispose of anything not reclaimed within 30 days after the notice. It must be in clear, simple language and give the landlord's phone number and mailing address. The landlord must inventory the belongings, remove them, and keep them at least 30 days, then may dispose of them. After an eviction judgment: the state marshal delivers removed belongings to storage designated by the town. If they are not reclaimed and the storage costs are not paid within 15 days, the town sells them at public auction after one week's posted notice. The net proceeds go to the tenant if claimed within 30 days. A deceased sole occupant's belongings follow a separate 60-day probate-court affidavit and inventory process. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11b; 47a-42(c); 47a-11d)
Is there a limit on rental application fees in Connecticut?
Rental application fees are banned. A landlord may not charge a prospective tenant any fee to process, review, or accept a rental application. Before or at the start of the tenancy, the only allowed charges are a security deposit, first month's rent, a deposit for a key or special equipment, and a tenant screening report fee. The screening fee may not exceed $50, plus an annual consumer price index adjustment set by the Commissioner of Housing. A landlord who charges it must give the applicant a copy of the screening report (or information on how to get it from the provider) and a copy of the screening company's receipt or invoice. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4d)
What rental fees are banned or limited in Connecticut?
Move-in and move-out fees are banned (§ 47a-4d(b)). Advertised rent must include every fee the tenant is required to pay on a periodic basis, prorated, even fees charged by default that the tenant could opt out of. Excluded from that rule: actual-cost payment processing fees (if a fee-free payment option is offered), pet fees or deposits, submetered or variable direct-paid utilities, damage charges, and separate service fees such as lockouts or key replacement. Starting April 1, 2026, every written lease must have as its first page a completed copy of the Department of Housing's standardized rental terms summary form. Tenant payments must be applied to rent first, then to other fees. The penalty for violating § 47a-7d is one month's rent payable to the tenant, plus possible attorney's fees. Landlords may not require electronic funds transfer as the only way to pay rent or a deposit (§ 47a-4c). On request, the landlord must give an occupant a copy of the ledger showing charges, payments, and balance (§ 47a-3a(d)). Late fees are capped separately (§ 47a-15a(b)). (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4d(b), 47a-7d, 47a-4c, 47a-3a(d))
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Connecticut?
A tenant who is a victim of family violence (leases entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2011), or of sexual assault, including a parent or guardian with physical custody of a dependent victim (leases on or after Jan. 1, 2014), may end the lease without penalty or liability for the rest of the term. The tenant must reasonably believe it is necessary to leave because of fear of imminent harm to the tenant or a dependent, and must give the landlord at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must include a statement under oath or affirmation that the tenant or dependent is a victim, the intended termination date, and that the tenant has moved out or will move out by that date (anything left behind is treated as abandoned). It must also include either (a) a police or court record of the act dated no more than 90 days before the notice, or (b) a signed statement from an employee of the Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services or the Office of the Victim Advocate dated no more than 30 days before the notice. The tenant still owes rent arrears and damages incurred before termination, and co-tenants stay liable. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e)
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in Connecticut?
Chapter 830 has no state-law early termination right for military service (beyond the federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or seniors moving into care. Other termination rights in the chapter: the tenant may terminate on 14 days' written notice if the landlord's material noncompliance recurs within 6 months after notice (§ 47a-12); may terminate if essential services are wilfully cut off (§ 47a-13); and may vacate and terminate if fire or casualty makes the unit unusable, giving written notice within 14 days (§ 47a-14). Tenant death: when the sole occupant dies, the landlord may follow a probate-court affidavit and inventory process to regain possession (§ 47a-11d). This is a landlord remedy, not an estate termination right. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11d, 47a-12, 47a-13, 47a-14)
Can an eviction record be sealed or removed in Connecticut?
Partial: records are automatically removed from the court website, not sealed. Within 30 days after an eviction case is withdrawn, dismissed or nonsuited on any grounds, or ends in a final judgment for the tenant, the Judicial Branch must remove the case and identifying information from its website. The removal applies to cases disposed of before or after July 1, 2024. Removed records may not be included in bulk sales of court records. No person may disclose them for a commercial purpose, including tenant screening and consumer reports. Cases that end in a judgment for the landlord are not removed. If there is later activity or an appeal, the case is restored and stays online until 30 days after final disposition. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26j)
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 vouchers in Connecticut?
Yes. It is a discriminatory housing practice to refuse to rent to someone, or to treat them differently in rental terms or advertising, because of their 'lawful source of income.' This means income from Social Security, SSI, housing assistance (which includes vouchers), child support, alimony, or public or state-administered general assistance. A landlord may still deny solely for insufficient income. Exempt: renting rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home, and units in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling. Violation is a class D misdemeanor. Complaints go to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-64c(a), (b)(1), (b)(5), (c); 46a-63(3))
Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Connecticut?
Yes, a statewide right-to-counsel program, limited by available funding. Income-eligible tenants and occupants get free legal representation in matters started on or after July 1, 2021: notices to quit, eviction cases, and administrative proceedings to keep a housing subsidy or stop a lease termination. Income-eligible means household income at or below 80% of state median income, or receiving TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, refugee resettlement benefits, state rental assistance, or a Housing Choice Voucher. The program is phased in by priority criteria and funding. It does not create a right a tenant can enforce against the providers. Since October 1, 2021, landlords must attach the Judicial Branch's one-page right-to-counsel notice to every notice to quit, eviction summons and complaint, subsidized-housing lease termination notice, and subsidy termination notice. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-75)
What does a Connecticut notice to pay rent or quit have to include?
Rent must first be unpaid for the 9-day grace period (4 days for a week-to-week tenancy). The grace period is extended 5 days if the landlord's online payment system blocked payment (from Jan. 1, 2026). The landlord then uses a written Notice to Quit, substantially in the statutory form. It must name each tenant and occupant (unknown occupants may be named 'John Doe' or 'Jane Doe'), give the full address including apartment number, set a quit date at least 3 days after service, and state the reason in the statutory words ('nonpayment of rent') or similar wording. It must also show the date and place of signing and be signed by the owner or lessor, or their legal representative or attorney. The landlord must attach the Connecticut right-to-counsel notice. An attested copy must be served by a proper officer, such as a state marshal, on each tenant and occupant or left at their home; service may be made any day of the week. For a month-to-month tenancy, the notice ends the tenancy upon delivery. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23(a)-(d), 47a-75(f)(2))
What does a Connecticut notice to end a month-to-month tenancy have to include?
Connecticut uses the same statutory Notice to Quit to end a month-to-month tenancy (reason: lapse of time). It must be in writing, substantially in the § 47a-23(b) form, naming each tenant and occupant and the address with apartment number. It must set a quit date at least 3 days before the termination date or the date specified in the notice, state the reason in the statutory words, and be dated and signed. The right-to-counsel notice must be attached (§ 47a-75(f)(2)). An attested copy must be served by a proper officer (state marshal) on each tenant and occupant or left at their home. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-23(a)(1)(A), (b), (c); 47a-75(f)(2))
What must a Connecticut security deposit itemization include?
Within 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord must deliver one of two things to the forwarding address. Either (A) the full deposit plus accrued interest, or (B) the balance of the deposit and accrued interest after deductions for damages caused by the tenant's failure to meet their obligations, together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of each damage. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2))
How long does a landlord have to sue for unpaid rent in Connecticut?
6 years for an action on a written contract, a simple or implied contract, or an account, which covers a written lease. 3 years for an express contract not put in writing and not evidenced by a signed note or memorandum, such as an oral lease. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576(a); § 52-581(a))
Can a landlord accept rent during an eviction in Connecticut?
Yes. If the landlord accepts rent knowing it is overdue, the landlord waives the right to end the lease for the tenant's failure to pay that rent on time. Court annotations say that merely holding a money order sent after a notice to quit, without endorsing or cashing it, was not acceptance. In court, the landlord may get an order for use-and-occupancy payments while the eviction case is pending. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-19; § 47a-26b)
Can you be evicted in the winter in Connecticut?
No winter ban on evictions in the landlord-tenant statutes. After a judgment (except for nonpayment, nuisance, illegal use, or occupants who never had a right to be there), a tenant may apply within 5 days for a stay of execution. Nonpayment tenants may apply only if they deposit the full arrearage. Separately, from November 1 to May 1 inclusive, electric companies may not shut off residential service, and gas companies may not shut off residential gas heat, in hardship cases where the customer cannot pay the full bill. Shutoffs are also barred year-round where they would create a life-threatening situation. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-37 to 47a-39 (stays); § 16-262c(b) (utility winter protection))
Can a landlord give notice by text or email in Connecticut?
A notice to quit must be in the statutory written form. For residential tenancies, an attested copy must be served by a proper officer (such as a state marshal) on each lessee or occupant, or left at their residence. Service may be made on any day of the week. Before P.A. 25-78, an 'indifferent person' could also deliver it. Other notices under Chapter 830 (for example, the 45-day rent increase notice) must be written, but no delivery method is specified. No statute authorizes email or text delivery of a notice to quit. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(b)-(c) (as amended by P.A. 25-78))
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Connecticut?
No rent increase is effective unless the landlord gives the tenant written notice at least 45 days before the increase takes effect. For a lease with a term of one month or less, the notice must equal one full rental term. A tenant's failure to respond is not agreement to the increase. The section does not allow increases during a lease term. Fair rent commissions may review increases they find excessive. Protected tenants (elderly or disabled tenants in buildings of 5 or more units) may be charged only fair and equitable increases. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4e (P.A. 24-143, § 17); § 47a-23c(c))
Does a landlord have to give a copy of the lease in Connecticut?
No statute found requiring the landlord to give the tenant a copy of the signed lease. On or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must tell the tenant in writing the name and address of (1) the property manager and (2) the person authorized to receive notices, demands and legal papers, and keep this current. A successor landlord must do the same when it takes over. If the landlord fails to, the person who signed the lease for the landlord becomes the landlord's agent for service and repair duties. Other move-in items: a written notice that the unit is in a common interest community (if rented from the declarant); an offer of a pre-occupancy walk-through using the state checklist; and, for buildings with 5 or more units, a notice of protected-tenant rights. Since 2025, landlords must provide a copy of the rent ledger when the tenant asks. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6; § 47a-3e; § 47a-7d; § 47a-23c; § 47a-3a(d))
What are tenants' rights in a foreclosure in Connecticut?
When residential property is foreclosed and a bona fide tenant (not the owner, in an arm's-length lease) is in possession when title vests, ejectment is stayed and no eviction may start until: (1) for a written lease signed more than 60 days before the foreclosure began, the earlier of the lease end date or 60 days after title vests; or (2) for other tenancies, 30 days after title vests. Eviction for an ordinary ground, such as nonpayment, may proceed sooner. Any cash-for-keys offer from the lender or new owner must be at least the greatest of: the security deposit plus interest; 2 months' rent; or $2,000. The tenant cannot be required to waive other rights to receive it. The federal PTFA's longer 90-day notice also applies where it governs. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20e; § 47a-20f)
Does a landlord have to fix mold in Connecticut?
No statute — general habitability/repair duty applies. Connecticut has no mold-specific disclosure or remediation law for rentals. The landlord must comply with the tenement-house law and all building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety, and make all repairs needed to keep the premises fit and habitable. Stricter local codes take precedence. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7(a)(1)-(2), (b))
Who pays for pest control and bed bugs in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a detailed bed-bug statute. The tenant must promptly tell the landlord orally or in writing about a known or suspected infestation. Within five business days the landlord must inspect (or have a qualified inspector inspect) the unit and contiguous units it owns, and if bed bugs are found, begin effective treatment within five business days. The landlord pays for inspection and treatment; the tenant pays to prepare the unit and must cooperate, and can be liable for extra treatments caused by knowing, unreasonable noncompliance. The landlord may not rent a unit it knows or suspects is infested, must disclose current infestations in the unit or contiguous units before renting, and on request must give the date of the last clean inspection. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7a)
Does a landlord have to provide heat in Connecticut?
Yes. The landlord must supply reasonable heat, unless the building is not required by law to have heating or the heat is generated by equipment in the tenant's exclusive control or supplied by a direct utility connection, and must keep heating facilities in good and safe working order. If the landlord fails to supply heat for reasons within its control, the tenant may give notice and buy heat and deduct the cost from rent, or get substitute housing if not restored within 48 hours. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-7(a)(4), (6), 47a-13)
Does a landlord have to provide air conditioning in Connecticut?
No state requirement to provide air conditioning and no maximum indoor temperature. The landlord must keep any facilities and appliances it supplies in good and safe working order, and the tenant must use air conditioning and other facilities reasonably. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-7(a)(4), 47a-11(e))
What can a landlord deduct from a deposit for cleaning or damage in Connecticut?
Connecticut statutes do not define normal wear and tear. At move-out the landlord may deduct only damages suffered because the tenant failed to comply with tenant obligations, with a written itemized statement. Tenants must not willfully or negligently damage the premises or let others do so. Since January 1, 2024, landlords must offer a pre-move-in walk-through using the state checklist, and may not charge for any condition noted on that checklist. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-21(d), 47a-11(f), 47a-7c)
Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental in Connecticut?
No landlord-specific statute. Knowingly recording another person's image without knowledge and consent while they are not in plain view and reasonably expect privacy, with malice or sexual intent, is voyeurism (felony). Mechanical overhearing or recording of a conversation without the consent of at least one party, by someone not present, is eavesdropping (class D felony). (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-189a, 53a-187, 53a-189)
Can a landlord limit guests or roommates in Connecticut?
No statute — lease governs. Connecticut sets no guest-versus-tenant rule, statewide occupancy limit or roommate right for private rentals. The tenant must require people on the premises with the tenant's consent to behave so as not to disturb neighbors or create a nuisance. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11(g))
Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal in Connecticut?
Connecticut has no housing-specific statute on emotional support animal documentation, misrepresentation penalties or pet-fee limits. Disability discrimination in housing is prohibited by the state fair housing law, and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities must post educational materials on the differences between service, emotional support and therapy animals and how a landlord may lawfully determine which an animal is. Service animals in public accommodations may be kept at no extra charge. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-64c, 46a-64d, 46a-64(a))
Official resources for Connecticut
- CT General Statutes Title 47a (Landlord and Tenant)
- CT General Statutes 2026 Supplement, Ch. 830 (recent amendments)
- CT Judicial Branch: Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants (JDP-HM-31)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.