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; $175 eviction filing fee; $5,000 small claims limit. 18 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 5 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
- Entry notice
- See the rule
- Filing fee
- $175
- 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.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
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ConfirmedDeposit limit
No more than two months' rent; one month for a tenant 62 or older.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
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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
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedItemized list of deductions
A written notice itemizing the nature and amount of damages, unpaid rent or utilities, and the balance with interest.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
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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.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held
In an escrow account at a financial institution in Connecticut.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
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ConfirmedPenalty the law states
Twice the amount of the deposit if the landlord misses the deadline or notice requirements.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Banking: Rental Security Deposits; Connecticut Department of Banking: Deposit Index and Interest Rates, checked November 2026
More: Security deposit rules by state · Deposit return deadline calculator
Notice periods (6 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) | No tenant notice period in chapter 832 as read; Nolo's 50-state chart (updated 4/25/2024) lists 'No rule' for a Connecticut tenant's notice. Check the lease. | Sources: Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process); Nolo (secondary source): State Rules on Notice Required to Change or Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy, 50-state chart (updated 4/25/2024), checked November 2026 |
| 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. C.G.S. 47a-15a (2026 Supplement) sets the grace period at nine days after the due date (four days for week-to-week tenancies), extended five days when the landlord's online payment system kept the tenant from paying. | Sources: Connecticut General Assembly: General Statutes Chapter 832 (Summary process); Connecticut Office of Legislative Research: Report 2018-R-0232, late rent grace period and late fees (September 5, 2018); Connecticut General Assembly: 2026 Supplement, Chapter 830 (47a-15a as amended by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1), checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-23(a)) |
| Entry notice | Reasonable written or oral notice of the intent to enter, and entry only at reasonable times; no notice or consent needed in an emergency. No set number of hours. The text (2025 edition on Justia; FindLaw current as of January 1, 2025): the landlord "shall give the tenant reasonable written or oral notice of his intent to enter" and "may enter only at reasonable times, except in case of emergency." | Sources: Justia (statute text) (secondary source): 2025 Connecticut General Statutes 47a-16; FindLaw Codes (secondary source): Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-16, current as of January 1, 2025, checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-16(b), (c)) |
| Late fee limits | No late charge until the grace period ends: nine days after rent is due (four days for a week-to-week tenancy), plus five days if the landlord's online payment system kept the tenant from paying. The charge must be in a written lease and can't exceed the lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5% of the late payment; only one late charge per late payment. | Source: Connecticut General Assembly: 2026 Supplement, Chapter 830 (47a-15a as amended by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1), checked November 2026 (C.G.S. 47a-15a) |
More: Notice periods by state · Notice date calculator
Eviction case, in order (5 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.
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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
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ConfirmedFiling fee
$175 entry fee for a summary process (eviction) case, set by statute for every court.
one hundred seventy-five dollars for summary process and landlord and tenant actions;
Source: FindLaw Codes (secondary source): Connecticut General Statutes § 52-259, court fees (FindLaw Codes, statute text), checked November 2026
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- The tenant's answer or appearance
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Not confirmedTime to answer or appear
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- Hearing or trial
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Not confirmedHearing after filing
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- Judgment and the writ The order that lets the officer act.
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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
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- Lockout Carried out by an officer, not by either side.
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Not confirmedWrit to lockout
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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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
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- Along the way Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs.
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Not confirmedPaying to stop the case
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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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
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Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Connecticut Judicial Branch: Landlord/Tenant/Housing FAQs. Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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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
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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
- 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
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. From the tenant: No tenant notice period in chapter 832 as read; Nolo's 50-state chart (updated 4/25/2024) lists 'No rule' for a Connecticut tenant's notice. Check the lease.
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 much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Connecticut?
Reasonable written or oral notice of the intent to enter, and entry only at reasonable times; no notice or consent needed in an emergency. No set number of hours.
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.
What does it cost to file an eviction case in Connecticut?
$175 entry fee for a summary process (eviction) case, set by statute for every court.
Related: Landlord rules by state · Kits for landlords