Under Connecticut law, if a written or oral rental agreement exists, or if payment is accepted as rent, landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities under Connecticut General Statutes Title 47A, such as the right to timely rent payments and a livable dwelling.
Tenant Responsibilities
Evictions
Security Deposits
Lease Termination
Rent Increases
Discrimination
Landlord Entry
Note: These rights cannot be waived regardless of what the rental agreement says.
Landlord Responsibilities in Connecticut
In Connecticut, landlords legally can’t rent property out unless it meets basic health and safety requirements. Here is a list of amenities and how they relate to Connecticut’s habitability requirements:
| Item | Has to Provide? | Has to Fix/Replace? |
|---|---|---|
| Heating/AC | Only Heating | Only If Provided |
| Hot Water | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen Appliances | No | Only If Provided |
| Garbage Containers/Removal | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors | Yes | Yes |
| Mold | N/A | Yes |
| Pest Control | N/A | Yes |
If a property doesn’t provide the legally required amenities for habitable housing, a tenant can usually report the landlord to government authorities for unsafe living conditions.
Renter’s Rights for Repairs in Connecticut
Landlords must perform necessary repairs in a timely manner. In Connecticut, landlords must make repairs within 15 days after getting written notice from tenants.
If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, Connecticut tenants can sue for costs, a rent reduction (abatements) or a court order to force the landlord to make repairs. They usually can’t withhold rent unilaterally, or make repairs and deduct from the rent.
Tenant Responsibilities in Connecticut
In addition to paying rent on time, Connecticut tenants must:
- Keep the unit in a clean and habitable condition.
- Make small repairs and maintenance.
- Promptly inform the landlord of any damage to the apartment that was not the tenant’s fault.
- Allow the landlord to enter the dwelling unit at reasonable times with reasonable notice to make necessary repairs.
- Inform the landlord if the tenant is leaving the premises for a long period of time.
- Keep fixtures clean and sanitary.
- Not disturb other tenants or neighbors.
Evictions in Connecticut
Connecticut landlords are permitted to evict tenants for the following reasons, among others:
- Nonpayment of Rent: If a Connecticut tenant fails to pay rent then the landlord may issue a 3-Day Notice to Pay. If they do not pay by the end of the 3 days, then the landlord may begin formal eviction proceedings.
- Lease Violation: If a lease violation occurs, then the landlord may issue a 15-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. If the terms of the notice are not met, then the landlord may begin eviction proceedings.
- No Lease/End of Lease: If a lease ends, tenants must immediately vacate the premises and the landlord shall provide the tenant with a 3-Day Notice to Quit. If they do not, the landlord may file for eviction immediately.
- Owner’s Personal Use: If an owner decides that they no longer want to rent out the dwelling unit and want to reside in the unit themselves, the landlord must provide the tenant with a 3-Day Notice to Quit.
- Discontinuance of Use of Rental Unit: If the owner decides that they no longer want to rent out the dwelling unit and the property will sit unused, the landlord must provide a 3-Day Notice to Quit to the tenant.
- Refusals to Accept Rent Increase: If a tenant refuses to accept an increase in the rent that is both fair and equitable, a landlord may give a tenant 3-Day Notice to Quit.
- Illegal Acts: Connecticut law highlights several illegal activities that are grounds for eviction, including the illegal sale of alcohol or drugs. If a landlord has documentation of illegal activities occurring on the property, then they may issue a 15-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. No notice is required if a tenant is convicted of using the rental unit for prostitution or illegal gambling.
It is illegal for landlords to evict tenants in retaliation or for discriminatory reasons.
Landlord Retaliation in Connecticut
It’s illegal for Connecticut landlords to retaliate with raised rent, reduced services, or eviction against tenants who have taken a protected action like reporting a landlord to government authorities for health and safety violations.
Security Deposits in Connecticut
Collections & Holdings: The following laws apply to the collection and holding of security deposits:
- Maximum: 2 months’ rent; except the maximum security deposit is 1 month’s rent if the tenant is 62 years old or older.
- Inventory Requirement: Landlords are not required to document the condition of the rental unit at the start of the lease term in order to collect security deposits.
- Holding Requirement: Landlords must hold security deposits in an escrow account in a financial institution within the state.
- Interest Requirement: Landlords are required to provide interest except when the rental unit is a mobile home or a dorm. The rate of interest changes annually and is determined by the State Commissioner.
- Receipt Requirement: Yes, for cash payments.
Returns & Deductions: The following laws apply to the return of security deposits:
- Allowable Deductions: Unpaid rent, utilities, late fees, and damage excluding normal wear and tear.
- Time Limit for Return: Landlords must return a security deposit within 15 days after the tenant provides a forwarding address or 30 days after the lease term ends, whichever is later.
- Max. Penalty for Late Return: Tenants can sue for twice the security deposit plus court costs.
Lease Termination in Connecticut
Notice Requirements: If a landlord wants to evict a tenant on a periodic lease in Connecticut, they must give the following amounts of notice:
| Rent Payment Frequency | Notice Needed |
|---|---|
| Week-to-Week | 3 Days |
| Month-to-Month | 3 Days |
| Quarter-to-Quarter | No statute |
| Year-to-Year | No statute |
Early Termination: If a tenant wishes to break a lease early, they may do so for the following reasons:
- Early termination clause.
- Active military duty.
- Uninhabitable unit.
- Lease violation.
- Domestic violence.
- Senior citizen or health issue.
Connecticut tenants who break a lease early are still liable to pay the amount of rent remaining on the lease. However, landlords are legally obligated to make a reasonable effort to re-rent a unit.
Cost of Breaking a Lease in Connecticut
If a Connecticut tenant breaks their lease early, they are still liable for the rent for the remaining lease period. Landlords are legally required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit, and if they find a new tenant, the original tenant is then no longer liable to pay all remaining rent.
Landlords cannot keep the full security deposit because a tenant broke their lease. The landlord can make deductions for damages or unpaid rent, but the rest must be returned to the tenant.
Rent Increases in Connecticut
Connecticut does not have rent control and state law prohibits cities and towns from creating their own rent control laws except to establish a fair rent commission that handles complaints and prevents landlords from charging excessive rents.
In cities and towns with a fair rent commission, landlords cannot raise the rent by an amount that would be considered “harsh and unconscionable.” If a tenant thinks a rent increase is unreasonable, they must submit a complaint to their local fair housing commission to contest it.
Landlords cannot increase the rent during the lease term unless the lease agreement allows for it, out of discrimination of state or federally-protected classes, or in retaliation.
Connecticut state law does not specify how much notice landlords must give before raising the rent. Landlords and tenants can agree on rent increase procedures in the lease agreement.
Housing Discrimination in Connecticut
Protected Groups: The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, religion, or disability. These rules do not apply to some owner-occupied homes or homes operated by religious organizations. Connecticut state law adds additional protection for tenants on the basis of marital status, age, ancestry, and lawful source of income.
Discriminatory Acts & Penalties: Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights handles housing discrimination complaints in the state. The following behaviors have been identified as potentially discriminatory when directed at a member of a protected group:
- Refusing to rent, negotiate, or sell a house or rental unit.
- Falsely claiming a unit is unavailable.
- Providing different terms, conditions, or privileges.
- Inducing a tenant to sell for the purpose of personal profit (blockbusting).
- Providing different brokerage or financial services.
The Commission does not outline specific punishments. However, they do give landlords a chance to correct their behavior and avoid further action from the Commission.
Additional Landlord Tenant Regulations in Connecticut
In addition to having laws that address general issues like repairs and security deposits, most states, including Connecticut, grant rights and responsibilities about things like lock changes and a landlord’s right to entry. See the topics below for more information.
Landlord Right to Entry in Connecticut
Landlords in Connecticut have the right to enter rental property for maintenance, inspections, and property showings. Outside of certain special cases like emergencies, landlords must give “reasonable” advance notice and enter only at “reasonable” times.
Rent Collection & Related Fees in Connecticut
The following laws apply to the collection of rent and related fees:
- Grace Period: Landlords must provide a 9-day grace period for the payment of rent before charging a late fee. However, the minimum grace period is 4 days if the tenancy is week-to-week.
- Maximum Late Fee: No limit, but it must be reasonably related to the actual cost to the landlord.
- Rent Payment Methods: Landlords cannot require electronic payments.
- Rent Receipt: Required for cash payments.
Small Claims Court in Connecticut
Most disputes between landlords and tenants are handled in Small Claims Court, which is an informal process designed to be quicker and simpler than higher courts. For example, disputes regarding the return of security deposits are typically handled in Small Claims Court.
Landlords and tenants can file cases in Small Claims Court to settle minor disputes without hiring an attorney if the amount claimed is less than $5,000. Connecticut Small Claims Court is a division of Superior Court. The process takes approximately one to two months.
Mandatory Disclosures in Connecticut
- Lead-Based Paint: Landlords that own homes built before 1978 must provide information about concentrations of lead paint used in the building.
- Authorized Authorities: Landlords must also provide the names and addresses of all parties involved in managing the property.
- Common Interest: Landlords must provide a disclosure if the rental unit is located in a common interest community.
- Fire Sprinkler System: Landlords must provide an operative fire sprinkler system notice including the maintenance and repair history.
- Bed Bugs: Landlords must disclose if there is an adjacent property that is infested with bed bugs.
- Security Deposit Holdings: Landlords must disclose the amount of the deposit and the name and address of the depository where the security deposit will be held in escrow.
Changing the Locks in Connecticut
Connecticut tenants can change their own locks if the lease doesn’t say otherwise, as long as they preserve the landlord’s rights of access by providing copies of any new keys. Landlords, by contrast, can’t unilaterally change the locks on a tenant, as this is considered a form of illegal “self help” eviction.
Additional Resources for Connecticut Renters
Many cities in Connecticut have their own landlord-tenant laws in addition to the state requirements. Check your local county and municipality for additional regulations, and see the resources below for general information.
Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in Connecticut
