DisputeKit / Connecticut
How long does a Connecticut landlord have to return a security deposit?
21 days. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 47a-21, a landlord must return the security deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deductions together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of the damages within 21 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If your landlord got your forwarding address late, the deadline is 15 days after they received it, if that is later. A court may also award twice the amount of the security deposit if the landlord does not return it or provide the itemized statement as required (if the only violation is unpaid interest, the greater of $10 or twice the interest).
I moved out of my place in on and my landlord still has my $ deposit.
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Conditions that change the deadline
- The deadline is 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address in writing, whichever is later.
- The landlord must send the deposit and any itemized statement to the forwarding address the tenant gave in writing.
What Connecticut law says about deductions and your rights
- Deductions are limited to unpaid rent or utilities, damage beyond the tenant's obligations, and the reasonable cost of changing the locks in certain cases.
- The tenant should give the landlord a forwarding address in writing; the 15-day clock only starts once the landlord receives it.
- The landlord must pay interest on the deposit at the rate set each year by the Banking Commissioner.
- The landlord may not charge a deposit of more than two months' rent (one month's rent for tenants 62 or older).
If the deadline has passed
Send a written demand letter. State the dates and amounts, the law and the deadline, and a date by which you expect payment. Keep proof that you sent it.
If they still don't pay, you can file in small claims court. The limit in Connecticut is $5,000 (up to $15,000 for home improvement contract claims); a tenant may be awarded double the deposit even above $5,000, and the filing fee is $95 entry fee.
Steps
- Find your move-out date and deposit amount
- Give your landlord your forwarding address in writing (your demand letter can do this)
- Work out when the clock started: The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If your landlord got your forwarding address late, the deadline is 15 days after they received it, if that is later
- Count 21 days from that date to find the deadline
- Send a written demand letter citing the law
- File in small claims court if unpaid
Common questions
When does the clock start in Connecticut?
The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If your landlord got your forwarding address late, the deadline is 15 days after they received it, if that is later.
What if I got part of my deposit back?
You can still ask for the rest. Your claim is the deposit minus what was returned and minus any deductions you agree were allowed.
Can I get more than my deposit back?
Possibly. Connecticut law allows a court to award twice the amount of the security deposit if the landlord does not return it or provide the itemized statement as required (if the only violation is unpaid interest, the greater of $10 or twice the interest). A judge decides; it is not guaranteed.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not usually. Small claims court in Connecticut is designed for people without lawyers. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney.