Connecticut Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Connecticut landlords: how much you can hold, the 30-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Connecticut's rules.
Deposit cap
2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older)
Refund deadline
30 days
30 days, or 15 days after receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.
Interest required?
Yes
Annual interest at a rate set by the state banking commissioner is required.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Wrongful withholding can result in twice the amount owed.
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
Connecticut security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Connecticut's 30-day deadline and interest rule. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Connecticut generally requires interest on held deposits. This estimate uses a 5% simple annual rate — confirm the exact current rate for your state before finalizing.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Estimated interest
- $0.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Connecticut
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of move-out.
30 days, or 15 days after receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.
How to return a security deposit in Connecticut
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Connecticut, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Connecticut — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Add any interest owed
Connecticut requires interest on held deposits. Annual interest at a rate set by the state banking commissioner is required. Include the interest in the amount returned.
- 4
Return the balance within 30 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 30 days of move-out. 30 days, or 15 days after receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Connecticut security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?
A landlord generally has 30 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 30 days, or 15 days after receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.
Is interest required on security deposits in Connecticut?
Annual interest at a rate set by the state banking commissioner is required.
Does Connecticut require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Connecticut does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Connecticut?
Wrongful withholding can result in twice the amount owed.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) or with a local attorney before relying on it.