Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21: Connecticut security deposit rules in plain English
What Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 says about Connecticut security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 21 days
- The refund is due by the later of 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after the landlord receives your forwarding address in writing, so give it in writing.
- If the landlord misses the deadline, they owe twice the deposit.
- Maximum deposit
- Two months' rent for a tenant under 62; one month's rent for a tenant 62 or older (a landlord who took more than one month's rent from a tenant who later turns 62 must return the excess on request). Advance payment of the first month's rent and a key or special-equipment deposit are not 'security deposit'. The landlord must immediately put the deposit in an escrow account at a Connecticut financial institution and, within 30 days of receiving it, tell the tenant in writing the amount and the name and address of the institution. A landlord may not charge a move-in or move-out fee (47a-4d(b)).
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- Yes. The landlord must pay interest each year at a rate not less than the 'deposit index' set under section 36a-26 (never waivable by lease, 47a-4(a)(4)). Interest is paid to the tenant or credited toward rent on the tenancy anniversary, and if the tenancy ends or the deposit is returned earlier, within 21 days after that. No interest is owed for any month in which the tenant was more than 10 days late with rent, unless the landlord imposed a late charge.
What Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
Two months' rent for a tenant under 62; one month's rent for a tenant 62 or older (a landlord who took more than one month's rent from a tenant who later turns 62 must return the excess on request). Advance payment of the first month's rent and a key or special-equipment deposit are not 'security deposit'. The landlord must immediately put the deposit in an escrow account at a Connecticut financial institution and, within 30 days of receiving it, tell the tenant in writing the amount and the name and address of the institution. A landlord may not charge a move-in or move-out fee (47a-4d(b)).
Interest
Yes. The landlord must pay interest each year at a rate not less than the 'deposit index' set under section 36a-26 (never waivable by lease, 47a-4(a)(4)). Interest is paid to the tenant or credited toward rent on the tenancy anniversary, and if the tenancy ends or the deposit is returned earlier, within 21 days after that. No interest is owed for any month in which the tenant was more than 10 days late with rent, unless the landlord imposed a late charge.
Full citation: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(a), (b), (d), (h), (i); 47a-4(a)(4); 47a-4d(b) Read the official text
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FAQ: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21?
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, a Connecticut landlord has 21 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. The refund is due by the later of 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after the landlord receives your forwarding address in writing, so give it in writing. If the landlord misses the deadline, they owe twice the deposit.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in Connecticut?
Two months' rent for a tenant under 62; one month's rent for a tenant 62 or older (a landlord who took more than one month's rent from a tenant who later turns 62 must return the excess on request). Advance payment of the first month's rent and a key or special-equipment deposit are not 'security deposit'. The landlord must immediately put the deposit in an escrow account at a Connecticut financial institution and, within 30 days of receiving it, tell the tenant in writing the amount and the name and address of the institution. A landlord may not charge a move-in or move-out fee (47a-4d(b)).
Does Connecticut require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(a), (b), (d), (h), (i); 47a-4(a)(4); 47a-4d(b).
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in Connecticut?
Yes. The landlord must pay interest each year at a rate not less than the 'deposit index' set under section 36a-26 (never waivable by lease, 47a-4(a)(4)). Interest is paid to the tenant or credited toward rent on the tenancy anniversary, and if the tenancy ends or the deposit is returned earlier, within 21 days after that. No interest is owed for any month in which the tenant was more than 10 days late with rent, unless the landlord imposed a late charge.
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Scan my Connecticut leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.