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Contents
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For accuracy and specific guidance on landlord-tenant laws, consult an attorney before making any decisions or taking action.
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SECTION 1
Below is an overview of some of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants in Connecticut.
Source: Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants | City of Bridgeport (.gov)
Are landlords in Connecticut required to give notice before entering the property?
Landlords are required to give reasonable notice before they enter the property for inspections, repairs, maintenance, and, among other things, to exhibit the unit to potential tenants and/or contractors. Additionally, landlords should only access the leased premises at reasonable times. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-16(c))
In most scenarios reasonable notice is deemed to be one or two days notice in Connecticut.
Are landlords in Connecticut allowed to enter the property to conduct maintenance and repairs?
Landlords are required by law to get a tenant's permission before entering their apartment for non-emergency reasons. It is against the law for tenants to unjustly refuse permission to a landlord who requests to exhibit the apartment to potential renters, perform essential repairs, examine the property, or provide service (CGS § 47a-16).
Notice requirements are waived in the case of an emergency.
When a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord has the right to charge a late fee to the tenant. However, the late fee is expected to be reasonable. A judge has the authority to nullify the fees if it determines that they are excessive and does not correspond to the landlord's actual losses.
However, the landlord may not charge a late fee until nine days after the rent is due. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-15a and §§ 47a-4(8))
After the nine day grace period landlords have the choice to either impose the late fee, or begin eviction proceedings.
Source: Late Rent Grace Period and Fees | Connecticut General Assembly (.gov).
SECTION 2
No. There are no state-wide rent control rules in Connecticut that restrict how much a landlord can charge for rent.
In fact, Connecticut state law forbids local governments from enacting rent control legislation. However, they are allowed to create a fair rent commission to handle complaints and stop landlords from charging exorbitant rates.
There is no set notice period before a rent increase in Connecticut. Landlords must still, however, act in good faith, which means that when raising rent, they must give the renter adequate notice.
Many landlords provide one month's notice as a ‘reasonable’ amount of time before raising the rent.
In Connecticut, landlords are prohibited from raising rent if:
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SECTION 3
A formal rental contract signed by a prospective tenant (lessee) and a landlord (lessor) is known as a Connecticut lease agreement. This contract describes the laws of the state of Connecticut pertaining to tenancy and occupancy rights.
According to Connecticut law, a basic lease agreement should provide both parties with legal protection, specify the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, and explain the terms and conditions of the lease.
Yes, oral lease agreements are allowed in Connecticut, for leases of less than a year in length (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3c).
However, if the lease term exceeds one year, the agreement must be in writing to be enforceable as per the Statute of Frauds in Connecticut law. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-550(a)(4))
Even though oral leases are allowed for shorter term leases, it is generally recommended to have a written lease agreement for all tenancies as these provides clear documentation of the terms agreed upon by both parties, which can help prevent misunderstandings and disputes.
Here are some of the key components that should be included in an Connecticut lease agreement to ensure a smooth and fair rental experience for all parties involved.
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SECTION 4
According to Connecticut security deposit law, a landlord cannot charge more than two months' rent as a deposit. This cap is lowered to one month's rent if the tenant is 62 years of age or older. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-21(b)(1) and (2))
Landlords are allowed to request a pet deposit in addition to the maximum two months' rent security deposit from tenants who plan to keep pets on the rental property. However, this law only applies to people who do not need a service animal.
The landlord cannot demand this additional payment if the renter is disabled and needs a service animal.
Landlords in Connecticut can deduct the cost of any injuries or damages to the rented property from the security deposit if they can establish that it's directly or indirectly the tenant's fault. Some of the allowed deductions are to cover:
(Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-21(13) and (d))
According to Connecticut law, landlords must hold a tenant's security deposit in a banking institution escrow account. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from making any withdrawals from the aforementioned escrow account, with a few exceptions. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-21(h))
Landlords can only withdraw from the escrow account when:
It's important to note that a landlord is required by Connecticut law to give tenants a written notice that includes all of the account's details. Landlords are required to give this notice within 30 days after receiving the security deposit or 30 days following its transfer to a different financial institution.
Regardless of the financial institution holding the security deposit, the notice should provide the name and address of that institution. Should a third party come to take over the landlord's stake in the property, that third party must give written notice within the same thirty-day period.
If the landlord sells the house while the lease is still in effect, they are required to take back the security deposit and ensure the new owner receives it. Then, just as the original landlord would have, the new owner must abide by the security deposit holding regulations.
Every violation of these security deposit regulations may result in a fine of no more than $500 or a maximum 30-day jail sentence. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-3a(c) and §§ 47a-21(h))
After a tenant moves out, landlords have 21 days (this used to be 30 days) to return the security deposit (or within 15 days of the tenant providing their forwarding address, whichever is later.) They must return the security deposit along with any interest and provide written notice of any damages claimed, if applicable. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-21(d)(2))
The balance of the tenant's security deposit, if any, that is not being claimed for damages plus interest must be included with the landlord's written notice of damages. Additionally, it must specify the type and extent of the tenant's damages and include any outstanding rent or utility bills.
Failure to refund the deposit together with interest or give the tenant written notification of damages within the legally mandated time frames can be consequential. The tenant may seek a remedy in court, and the landlord might be liable to pay the renter twice the security deposit amount.
Connecticut security deposit law was amended in P.A. 23-0207,S. 39 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2023 pp64-65)
It is mandatory for landlords to pay renters interest earned on security deposits to a minimum of the average rate for savings accounts in commercial banks, as established and published by the Banking Commissioner each year.
Every year on the anniversary of the tenancy, landlords must provide interest to the tenants directly or as a credit on their next month's rent. However, the tenant forfeits their right to interest for any month in which rent is more than 10 days late, unless a late fee agreed to in the lease is charged
(Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 47a-21(i))
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SECTION 5
There are many reasons why a landlord in Connecticut may want to evict a tenant from their housing unit. However, they must have legal grounds to do so and follow proper eviction procedures to win an eviction case.
Below are valid reasons for starting an eviction process.
The tenancy type determines what's considered a late rate in Connecticut. Rent in a one-week tenancy would only be deemed late when it's four days past the due date. For other lease types, it's usually nine days after it is due.
Before a landlord can evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, they are required to provide the tenant with an eviction notice known as a 3-Day Notice to Quit. In the event that a renter fails to pay rent on schedule, the landlord may proceed with initiating the eviction procedure.
Violations of any lease provision may result in a tenant's eviction. Landlords are obligated to give a tenant a 15-day Notice to Quit/Comply before they can begin the eviction process. The landlord may proceed with pursuing an eviction action if the tenant is not able to remedy the breach within the allotted notice period.
A tenant in Connecticut may be subject to an eviction action if they have committed crimes on the property.
The landlord is not required by law to give a written notice if the tenant has a criminal record for prostitution or illicit gaming while residing in the rented property. In the event that the notification time has passed, the landlord may only move forward with bringing an eviction lawsuit.
Sometimes, a landlord will opt to increase rent for valid reasons. The landlord is required to provide the tenant a 3-day Notice to Quit if the rent increase is reasonable and expressly permitted in the contract, but the tenant refuses to comply.
After three days, if the tenant is still residing in the rented property, the landlord may proceed with filing for the tenant's eviction.
The landlord may start the eviction process if the tenant turns into a "holdover" tenant. A tenant who exceeds the length of their lease without requesting a renewal is known as a holdover.
If a tenant does not negotiate for a lease renewal and continues to occupy the property even one day after their signed lease expires, the landlord has the right to remove them.
Whatever the tenant's tenancy or type of lease, they must give a 3-Day Notice to Quit. The landlord may file a lawsuit to start the eviction procedure if a tenant doesn't vacate the rental property by the end of their notice term.
The required notice for eviction in Connecticut depends on the type of infraction. Here's an overview of Connecticut eviction notice:
Here's an overview of what a typical Connecticut eviction process looks like:
Source: A Landlord's Guide to Eviction (Summary Process) | Connecticut Judicial Branch (.gov)
SECTION 6
Like other states, Connecticut rental application has several laws and regulations governing tenant screening in the state. Landlords are expected to take these legislations into full consideration when preparing an application for a rental property in the state.
Landlords are free to charge whatever cost they like for Connecticut rental applications since there's no legislation capping the amount. Additionally, this fee is considered non-refundable.
According to Connecticut statute § 47a-21(14)(b), if a renter is younger than 62, landlords may request a security deposit equal to no more than two months' rent. But, the most you may charge a Connecticut tenant older than 62 is one month's rent.
Landlords cannot deny a tenant application under the FHA for any reason, including the renter's ethnicity, religion, sex, family status, or disability. Additionally, they are not allowed to treat somebody differently based on their nationality or criminal history, regardless of whether a background check is done.
Connecticut law requires landlords to notify prospective tenants in advance of the screening standards and the grounds for potential rejection or approval. A signature of acknowledgment must be attached to the application or included inside it to demonstrate that this information has been exchanged.
Tenants must consent to any credit checks you request, per the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They must sign the application form and provide a written statement of their approval.
To make the rental application process effective, here is a list of crucial requests to include in your Connecticut rental applications:
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SECTION 7
Breaking a lease is when you vacate a fixed-term rental property before its expiration date. This can generally be initiated by either party
When it comes to ending a rental arrangement between a tenant and a landlord in Connecticut, it's important to follow the state's particular laws and regulations.
Tenants are legally required to pay rent for the whole lease term, which is normally one year, whether or not they stay in the rented property. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
There are certain circumstances where a renter may terminate a fixed-term lease early and without incurring penalties. Here are some of the scenarios where a tenant can break a lease legally:
SECTION 8
Below is an overview of some Connecticut HOA laws that often apply to homeowners associations in the state:
All nonstock corporations in Connecticut are subject to Connecticut Nonstock Corporations Act regulations. This act outlines the organizational and operational structure of HOAs in the state.
It's important to note that the majority of homeowners' and condominium associations in Connecticut are considered nonstock corporations. (Connecticut Nonstock Corporations Act)
All the provisions of the Connecticut Common Interest Ownership Act are outlined in the Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 828, Section 47. This act establishes laws for common interest community formation, management, modification, and dissolution and regulates homeowners who are members of such communities.
According to Connecticut law, a cooperative, condominium, or homeowners association that was established after January 1st, 1984, is considered a common interest community. (Connecticut Common Interest Ownership Act)
The Connecticut Condominium Act of 1976 is responsible for governing the formation, management, powers, and operations of condominium associations in Connecticut. However, this act only applies to condominium associations established before January 1, 1984. (Connecticut Condominium Act of 1976)
Like other states, Connecticut law upholds citizens rights to equal access to housing. This tenet is achieved by the establishment of the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Act.
This act prohibits homeowners organizations from discriminating against homeowners on the basis of race, national origin, age, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, marital status, creed, familial status, and other factors. (Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Law)
According to Connecticut state law, a person must have a certificate from the state's Department of Consumer Protection in order to operate a homeowner association. It's also important to keep in mind that the Connecticut Real Estate Commission is responsible for enforcing the legislation. (Regulation of Community Association Management)
SECTION 9
Currently, there's no specific Connecticut squatters rights laws. However, if squatters fulfill specific requirements, they could be able to file an adverse possession of a property.
Squatters in Connecticut are required to fulfill a number of legal conditions in order to successfully claim adverse possession within the course of a 15-year statute. A successful claim would give the squatter legal ownership of a property.
Here's an overview of the requirements to make an adverse possession claim:
Source: Connecticut Law About Adverse Possession | Connecticut Judicial Branch (.gov)
SECTION 10
Below, you’ll find some helpful Connecticut landlord–tenant law resources:
REALTORS® Associations
Landlord Associations
Tenant Associations
DISCLAIMER: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For accuracy and specific guidance on landlord-tenant laws, consult an attorney before making any decisions or taking action.
