Sources checked:
Quick answer. Connecticut: deposit capped at 2 months of rent; deposit returned within 21 days; 3-day notice to end month-to-month; 3-day notice for unpaid rent; $5,000 small claims limit. 14 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 9 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check.
Key numbers
- Deposit limit
- 2 months' rent
- Deposit back within
- 21 days
- Month-to-month notice (landlord)
- 3 days
- Unpaid rent notice
- 3 days
- Judgment to writ
- 5 days (not Sundays or holidays)
- Small claims limit
- $5,000
Security deposit (6 of 6 confirmed)
Law read: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21.
-
ConfirmedDeposit limit
No more than two months' rent; one month for a tenant 62 or older.
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
-
ConfirmedReturn deadline
Within 21 days after the tenancy ends: the deposit with interest, or a written notice itemizing damages and the balance. If the tenant hasn't given a written forwarding address, within 15 days after the landlord receives one.
If the forwarding address arrives later: 15 days after it's received
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
-
ConfirmedItemized list of deductions
A written notice itemizing the nature and amount of damages, unpaid rent or utilities, and the balance with interest.
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
-
ConfirmedInterest on the deposit
At least the rate set each year by the Banking Commissioner, paid yearly on the tenancy anniversary or credited to rent. The Department of Banking lists 0.49% for 2026.
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
-
ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held
In an escrow account at a financial institution in Connecticut.
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
-
ConfirmedPenalty the law states
Twice the amount of the deposit if the landlord misses the deadline or notice requirements.
Source: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits, checked November 2026
More: Security deposit rules by state · Deposit return deadline calculator
Notice periods (3 of 6 confirmed)
What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too.
| Notice | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ending month-to-month (landlord) | A notice to quit for lapse of time, at least three days before the date it names to quit. | Source: Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process), checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-23(a)) |
| Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Not confirmed — check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process). Not in chapter 832. Check the lease and C.G.S. chapter 830. | |
| Rent increase notice | Written notice of the proposed increase at least 45 days before it takes effect (for a lease of one month or less, notice equal to one full term). A tenant who doesn't respond hasn't agreed to the increase. | Source: Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 830 (Rights and responsibilities of landlord and tenant), checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-4e) |
| Unpaid rent notice | A notice to quit for nonpayment once the grace period in 47a-15a has passed, at least three days before the quit date. The 2018 Office of Legislative Research report describes the grace period in C.G.S. 47a-15a as nine days after the due date (four days for week-to-week tenancies). Confirm the current text of 47a-15a. | Source: Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process), checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-23(a)) |
| Entry notice | Not confirmed — check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process). Not confirmed: C.G.S. 47a-16 wasn't in the part of chapter 830 we could read. Check 47a-16. | |
| Late fee limits | Not confirmed — check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process). Not confirmed: C.G.S. 47a-15a, the late fee section, wasn't in the part of chapter 830 we could read, and the 2018 legislative report predates later amendments. Check the current 47a-15a for the grace period and any cap. |
More: Notice periods by state · Notice date calculator
Eviction case, in order (4 of 10 confirmed)
- Notice before filing The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.
Unpaid rent: A notice to quit for nonpayment once the grace period in 47a-15a has passed, at least three days before the quit date.
- Filing the case Where the case goes and what it costs to start.
-
ConfirmedCourt
Housing cases are heard in a special Housing Session or on the regular Judicial District docket.
Housing matters are either handled in special Housing Sessions or as part of the regular Judicial District docket.
Source: Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs, checked November 2026
-
Not confirmedFiling fee
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
- The tenant's answer or appearance
-
Not confirmedTime to answer or appear
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
- Hearing or trial
-
Not confirmedHearing after filing
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
- Judgment and the writ The order that lets the officer act.
-
ConfirmedJudgment to writ
Execution is automatically stayed for five days after judgment, not counting Sundays, legal holidays or the judgment day.
automatic stay of a summary process execution for five days
Source: Connecticut State Marshal Commission Manual, Section 6: Evictions (Summary Process), checked November 2026
-
- Lockout Carried out by an officer, not by either side.
-
Not confirmedWrit to lockout
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout
A state marshal (or a constable within jurisdiction) serves and executes the eviction.
The state marshal is authorized to serve and execute the eviction.
Source: Connecticut State Marshal Commission Manual, Section 6: Evictions (Summary Process), checked November 2026
-
- Along the way Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs.
-
Not confirmedPaying to stop the case
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
ConfirmedRight to counsel (statewide)
Income-eligible tenants facing eviction or loss of a housing subsidy may get a free lawyer: 1-800-559-1565 or EvictionHelpCT.org.
Public Act 21-34 created a Right to Counsel Program for certain tenants living in residential properties.
Source: Connecticut Judicial Branch: Right to Counsel Program, checked November 2026
-
Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
-
The marshal must notify the town's chief executive officer at least 24 hours before a residential eviction.
Help the official pages name: Right to Counsel Program: 1-800-559-1565, EvictionHelpCT.org.
More: Eviction process timeline by state · Eviction timeline estimator
Deposit disputes: small claims
-
ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute)
$5,000: the most a small claims case can ask for.
$5,000, or $15,000 for home improvement contract claims. A tenant suing for a wrongfully withheld security deposit may recover twice the deposit even if the total is more than $5,000. Not for libel, slander or damage to reputation.
Filing fee to start a case: $95.
Source: Connecticut Judicial Branch: Small Claims FAQ, checked November 2026
More: Connecticut small claims court
Still to confirm
- Ending month-to-month (tenant): check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process)
- Entry notice: check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process)
- Late fee limits: check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process)
- Filing fee: check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
- Time to answer or appear: check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
- Hearing after filing: check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
- Writ to lockout: check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
- Paying to stop the case: check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
- Diversion or mediation (statewide): check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs
Connecticut kit
Connecticut Landlord Compliance Kit
This page as a printable checklist with every source link and check date, a move-in and move-out deposit checklist with the Connecticut return deadline, a notice calendar, an eviction timeline sheet, and an Excel workbook with a tenant notice log, a deposit tracker that works out the return date, and a rent ledger.
Kits for any state: Security Deposit Kit for Landlords and Tenants ($15) · Landlord-Tenant Notice Organizer ($15) · Eviction Case File Organizer ($15)
General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word.
Common questions
How much can a security deposit be in Connecticut?
No more than two months' rent; one month for a tenant 62 or older.
How long does a Connecticut landlord have to return a deposit?
Within 21 days after the tenancy ends: the deposit with interest, or a written notice itemizing damages and the balance. If the tenant hasn't given a written forwarding address, within 15 days after the landlord receives one. What goes with it: A written notice itemizing the nature and amount of damages, unpaid rent or utilities, and the balance with interest.
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Connecticut?
From the landlord: A notice to quit for lapse of time, at least three days before the date it names to quit.
What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Connecticut?
A notice to quit for nonpayment once the grace period in 47a-15a has passed, at least three days before the quit date.
How long does an eviction case take in Connecticut?
Judgment to writ: 5 days (not Sundays or holidays). These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer.
Can a Connecticut deposit dispute go to small claims court?
The small claims limit in our data: $5,000: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears.
How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Connecticut?
Not confirmed in our data files. Check Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process) (https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_832.htm).
Related: Landlord rules by state · Kits for landlords