For landlords, a Connecticut lease agreement is one of the most important documents they have for their business. The rental agreement does more than outline rent and rules — it sets clear expectations, protects your property, and helps build a positive landlord-tenant relationship from day one.
Disclosures (5)
The Constitution State requires landlords to include specific disclosures in every Connecticut lease agreement, ensuring renters have the information they need before moving in. These disclosures help prevent misunderstandings and promote transparency.
- Lead-based paint: For any unit built before 1978, Federal law requires landlords to disclose any known information about lead paint and its hazards.
- Bed bugs: Landlords must inform tenants of any known bed bug infestations (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7a(c)).
- Sprinklers: The lease agreement must disclose if the unit has a sprinkler system installed, as well as when it was last inspected (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3f).
- Landlord’s identity: Landlords must provide tenants with their name and contact information, as well as a mailing address where they should send important documents (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6).
- Condo interest community disclosures: Landlords must disclose in writing if the property is in a common interest community (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3e).
Optional Disclosures and Addenda
Beyond the mandatory disclosures, landlords can also choose to include optional disclosures that can help prevent misunderstandings and increase transparency. While Connecticut law does not require these disclosures, they help build trust and minimize disputes down the road.
Asbestos: Informs tenants of any asbestos that may be found on the property, as well as ways to minimize their risk.
Late/returned check fees: Details the charges for late or returned checks in relation to rent payments. In Connecticut, state law caps late fees at 5 percent of the late rent or $5 per day (up to $50), whichever is less. Returned check fees are capped at $20 per check (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(b), Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-565a(i)).
Medical marijuana use: Outlines the policy regarding the use of medical marijuana on the property, as well as any limitations or restrictions.
Mold disclosure: Informs tenants of any mold in the unit, as well as options for treatment.
Non-refundable fees: Landlords must clearly outline any non-refundable fees in the lease.
Shared utilities arrangements: Details how the landlord will split the utility charges, if any of the units share a meter.
Smoking: Explains the smoking policy for the unit, as well as the location of any designated smoking areas on the property.
Consequences of Not Including Mandatory Disclosures
Mandatory disclosures contain essential information regarding a tenant’s health and safety. If a landlord fails to include mandatory disclosures with their lease, they may face serious legal and financial consequences. And without the legally required disclosures, a Connecticut lease agreement may not be enforceable.
Security Deposit Regulations in Connecticut
Security deposits are a vital part of the rental process. Connecticut law outlines how landlords should handle them. Whether it’s how much landlords can charge or when they have to return the funds, state law lays out clear guidelines that help you avoid fees and build trust from the beginning.
Maximum amount: Connecticut landlords may charge up to 2 months’ rent as a security deposit for tenants younger than 62, or up to 1 month if the tenant is 62 or older. If the tenant turns 62 during the lease period, the landlord must refund any deposit in excess of 1 month’s rent (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21b).
Deposit receipt: Landlords must provide tenants with a receipt for their security deposit payment, including the name and location of the financial institution holding the deposit and the total amount (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21).
Interest payments: Connecticut law says that landlords must hold security deposit funds in an escrow account, where they can collect interest, and that a landlord must pay the tenant interest on this amount (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21h, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21i).
Security deposit return: If the landlord has the tenant’s forwarding address, they have 15 days to return the security deposit, minus any deductions. Otherwise, they have 21 days to return the funds (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21d(2)).
Deductions: Landlords are required to provide tenants with an itemized list of deductions that they withheld from their security deposit. If the landlord has a forwarding address, they have 15 days to supply this; otherwise, they have 21 days (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21d(2)).
Rent Payment Regulations
Setting clear expectations for rent payments is one of the best ways to maintain a positive landlord-tenant relationship. A little clarity up front helps reduce disputes later and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Rent control/stabilization: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist state-wide in Connecticut. However, Fair Rent Commissions exist in certain cities with 25,000+ residents, which may impose additional rent laws and prevent landlords from raising rent by an excessive amount (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-148b)..
Late rent fees: Connecticut landlords may charge a late fee of $5 per day (up to $50), or 5 percent of the total rent due (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(b)).
Grace period: State law requires landlords to give tenants 9 days after the due date before rent is late (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a).
Tenant’s right to withhold rent: Tenants may withhold rent if there is a significant repair issue that the landlord has not addressed in a reasonable time. They may also withhold rent if the property undergoes significant damage, assuming they were not at fault (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14).
Violations
When a tenant violates their lease agreement, Connecticut law outlines specific steps landlords can take to resolve the issue while maintaining compliance. Document all communication and keep clear records to ensure that any action taken is legally supported and fair.
Lease violation: If a tenant violates any part of their lease, the landlord may issue a 3-day Notice to Cure or Quit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23a).
Missed rent payment: If a tenant doesn’t pay their rent after the required grace period, the landlord may issue a 3-day Notice to Pay or Quit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a).
Lease abandonment: If a tenant abandons their lease before the end of its term, they may be financially responsible for the remainder of the lease. However, the landlord should attempt to find a new tenant in the meantime (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11c).
Self-help evictions: In Connecticut, self-help evictions are illegal, and landlords should never attempt to remove a tenant on their own (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-43).
Terminating a Lease
Terminating a Connecticut lease agreement requires planning and clear communication. State law clearly outlines the terms regarding required notice and the conditions that allow for an early termination.
Standard lease: Connecticut tenants may terminate their lease early in the event of military relocation, landlord harassment, or domestic violence (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e).
Month-to-month: Either a landlord or a tenant must provide between 3 and 30 days’ notice to terminate a month-to-month lease. Always review your lease agreement, as the required time may vary (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23).
Property abandonment: If a tenant leaves behind any of their property, the landlord must store the items for 30 days before disposing of them (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11b(d)).
Renewing a Lease
When the time comes for lease renewal, written agreements keep everything official and help to avoid misunderstandings. The renewal period is a great time to review lease terms and update as necessary.
Notice requirements: Connecticut state law recommends that landlords give 30 days’ notice to their tenants if they do not intend to renew their lease. However, in many cases, only 3 days’ notice is required (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23).
Required renewals: Connecticut landlords are not required to renew their tenant’s lease at the end of its term.
Landlord’s Access to Property
Under Connecticut law, landlords have the right to enter the property for specific reasons, such as routine maintenance, repairs, or emergencies.
Immediate access: In the event of an emergency, or if the tenant has abandoned the property or a court order is in place, no notice is required to enter the unit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16).
Notice requirements: Connecticut landlords are required to provide reasonable notice to tenants before entering a property (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16).
Harassment: If the landlord fails to follow these regulations, courts may consider it landlord harassment, giving the tenant legal reason to terminate their lease early (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16).
