Getting the Deposit Back
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 — 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 after the forwarding address, and twice the deposit if not
21 days, or 15 after the forwarding address. Not later than 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address in writing, whichever is later, the landlord delivers to that address the full deposit with accrued interest, or the balance after damages with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of each.
Who handles this in Connecticut: Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut and Connecticut eviction help line; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- A landlord who does not is liable for twice the amount of the deposit, or, where the only failure is the interest, for $10 or twice the interest, whichever is greater.
- Deductions are for damages from the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's obligations: rent or utility payments owed the landlord, the tenant's duties under the landlord and tenant statute, and an unpaid cost of changing the locks under a protective order.
- Any tenant may give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when the tenancy ends.
| The tenant | Most a landlord may demand |
|---|---|
| The tenantUnder 62 years of age | Most a landlord may demandTwo months' rent |
| The tenant62 or older | Most a landlord may demandOne month's rent |
The landlord pays interest on the deposit each year at the rate the section sets, on the anniversary of the tenancy or as a credit on the next rent. Any person may sue in replevin or for money damages to reclaim a deposit due.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 — Security deposits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.