Connecticut Security Deposit Deductions
In Connecticut, deposit deductions are limited to the uses in the supplied statute. The landlord must give an itemized statement within 21 days. The record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Ordinary wear is not a lawful charge. The table lists each supplied item rule and citation.
Wear and tear in this record
The supplied Connecticut record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Normal wear and tear is the expected aging of a rental from ordinary living, such as faded paint or carpet worn from walking. Damage is harm beyond that ordinary use, such as a large stain, a burn, or a hole. A landlord can usually charge for tenant-caused damage. A landlord cannot charge for ordinary wear.
Item rules
| Item | Allowed | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Conditional | Landlord may deduct the value of damages suffered as a result of the tenant’s failure to comply with tenant’s obligations. Tenant’s obligations include rent/utility payments and duties under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11 (keep premises clean and safe; not wilfully or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove). No independent turnover-cleaning statute and no wear-and-tear definition. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-21(a)(13), 47a-21(d), 47a-11) |
| Carpet replacement | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21). (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) |
| Painting | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21). (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21). (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) |
| Pet damage | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21). (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21) |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Yes | Tenant’s obligations expressly include the amount of any rental or utility payment due the landlord from a tenant, so unpaid rent and utilities are deductible damages. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(a)(13), (d)) |
Itemization duty
| Itemization required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 21 days |
| Receipts required | No |
| Rule | Not later than 21 days after termination of a tenancy or 15 days after receiving written notification of the tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord shall deliver either the full deposit plus accrued interest or the balance after deduction for damages, together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of such damages. Receipts are not required. Violation makes the landlord liable for twice the deposit. |
| Citation | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
Burden of proof
No statutory sentence allocating the burden of proof on the lawfulness of a deduction. A landlord who violates the return/itemization subsection is liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2).
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 ... shall deliver ... a written
What this means
Source accessed: .
If it was deducted anyway
Use the Connecticut demand letter page to ask for the itemized statement and the return of any amount that bills ordinary wear. Cite only a rule listed on this page.
Free Connecticut template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Connecticut law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [21 calendar days / 15 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
FAQ
What security deposit deductions are allowed in Connecticut?
Only the uses in the supplied Connecticut record. The table on this page lists each item with its rule and citation. A general wear-and-tear row is not an item-specific statute.
Does a Connecticut landlord have to itemize deductions?
Yes. Not later than 21 days after termination of a tenancy or 15 days after receiving written notification of the tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord shall deliver either the full deposit plus accrued interest or the balance after deduction for damages, together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of such damages. Receipts are not required. Violation makes the landlord liable for twice the deposit.
Who has the burden of proof for a Connecticut deduction?
No statutory sentence allocating the burden of proof on the lawfulness of a deduction. A landlord who violates the return/itemization subsection is liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2).