Connecticut Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Connecticut, the landlord must return the deposit within 21 calendar days (ordinary path when tenant has provided forwarding address (or later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address, whichever is later)) or 15 calendar days (applies when this later date is after the 21-day post-termination period; statutory rule is the later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 21 calendar days (ordinary path when tenant has provided forwarding address (or later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address, whichever is later)): after termination of a tenancy; 15 calendar days (applies when this later date is after the 21-day post-termination period; statutory rule is the later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address): after landlord receives written notification of tenant's forwarding address. The verified state formula is landlord liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is $10 or twice the accrued interest, whichever is greater under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21.
Key facts
| Deadline | 21 calendar days (ordinary path when tenant has provided forwarding address (or later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address, whichever is later)); trigger: after termination of a tenancy |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 15 calendar days (applies when this later date is after the 21-day post-termination period; statutory rule is the later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address); trigger: after landlord receives written notification of tenant's forwarding address |
| Penalty formula | landlord liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is $10 or twice the accrued interest, whichever is greater |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | Yes |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than two months' rent for tenants under age 62; not more than one month's rent for tenants age 62 or older. If a tenant becomes 62 after paying more than one month, landlord must return the excess on request. |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) in Superior Court (Small Claims Session) |
| Statute citation | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 |
Statute says
Not later than twenty-one days after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of such tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later, each landlord other than a rent receiver shall deliver to the tenant or former tenant at such forwarding address either (A) the full amount of the security deposit paid by such tenant plus accrued interest, or (B) the balance of such security deposit and accrued interest after deduction for any damages suffered by such landlord by reason of such tenant's failure to comply with such tenant's obligations, together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of such damages. Any landlord who violates any provision of this subsection shall be liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid by such tenant, except that, if the only violation is the failure to deliver the accrued interest, such landlord shall be liable for ten dollars or twice the amount of the accrued interest, whichever is greater.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Connecticut is $1,488 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Stamford: $2,276
- New Haven: $1,488
- Bridgeport: $1,450
- Hartford: $1,269
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,488 before applying the state formula: landlord liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is $10 or twice the accrued interest, whichever is greater.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | Bridgeport Judicial District and Housing Session, Bridgeport | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) | $95, per the Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims FAQ. | Yes | Court site |
| Hartford County | Hartford Judicial District and Housing Session, Hartford | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) | $95. | Yes | Court site |
| New Haven County | New Haven Judicial District and Housing Session, New Haven | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) | $95. | Yes | Court site |
| New London County | New London Judicial District, New London | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) | $95. | Yes | Court site |
| Litchfield County | Litchfield Judicial District, Torrington | $5,000 (Superior Court small claims session (general claims)); $15,000 (home improvement / new home construction contracts only) | $95. | Yes | Court site |
Free Connecticut template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Connecticut data for this page lists a 21 calendar days (ordinary path when tenant has provided forwarding address (or later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address, whichever is later)) or 15 calendar days (applies when this later date is after the 21-day post-termination period; statutory rule is the later of 21 days after termination or 15 days after written forwarding address) return window and cites Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Bridgeport have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Connecticut law and local rules.
Does Stamford have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Connecticut law and local rules.
Does New Haven have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Connecticut law and local rules.
Does Hartford have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Connecticut law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain.