State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Connecticut landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Connecticut caps late fees and deposits, and it requires interest on deposits held in escrow. Here is what chapters 830 and 831 of the General Statutes say, with the section for each rule.

Late fees in Connecticut

Limit

The lesser of $5 a day, up to $50, or 5% of the delinquent rent payment. Where a government or charitable entity pays part of the rent, the 5% applies to the tenant's share. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(b)

Grace period

Nine days after rent is due. For a one-week tenancy, four days. A late fee can be charged on a payment made after the grace period. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(a)

Other conditions

One late fee per late payment. The rental agreement must contain a valid written agreement to pay a late fee. A lease can't set a fee above these amounts or charge one before the grace period ends. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(b)

Security deposits in Connecticut

Maximum deposit

Two months' rent if the tenant is under 62. One month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. Advance rent for a month and deposits for keys or special equipment don't count toward the limit. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b)

Return deadline

21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord gets the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)

Itemized deductions

Required. A written statement of the nature and amount of the damages goes with the balance. The same deadline applies. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)

Interest

At a rate not less than the deposit index for the calendar year. The index is defined in § 36a-26. Interest is paid or credited each year on the tenancy anniversary, and accrued interest is due within 21 days after the tenancy ends. No interest is owed for a month in which the tenant was more than 10 days late, unless the landlord charged a late fee. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i)

How it's held

In an escrow account at a financial institution located in Connecticut, for the tenant's benefit. The landlord deposits it immediately and gives the tenant written notice of the amount and the institution's name and address within 30 days of receiving it. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(h)

Penalty

Twice the amount of the security deposit. If the sole violation is failing to deliver accrued interest, the landlord owes $10 or twice the interest, whichever is greater. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)

Rent increases in Connecticut

Notice to raise rent

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 be given a number of days equivalent to the length of a full term of the lease. A tenant's failure to respond is not agreement, and rent can't be raised during the term of a rental agreement. It applies to agreements entered into, renewed or extended on or after October 1, 2024. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4e

Statewide cap

None in the statute. Conn. Gen. Stat. chs. 830, 831

City rent control

Not addressed in the statute. State law lets towns set up fair rent commissions to control excessive rental charges, and towns of 25,000 or more must have one. A commission can order a rent limited if it finds it harsh and unconscionable. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-148b to 7-148f

This page covers Connecticut state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones. The General Assembly site posts each chapter as one page, with no per-section links, so each citation links to its chapter. Use the section number to find the rule on the page.

Questions landlords ask

Free templates you can use in Connecticut

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 830) or talk to a local attorney before you act.