Connecticut Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Connecticut a landlord must return your deposit with interest, or an itemized statement, within 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after you give a forwarding address, whichever is later. A violation can cost twice the deposit. Attorney review available.
Introduction
A security deposit demand letter is a written demand a Connecticut tenant sends a former landlord to recover a security deposit that has not been returned, before filing in court. In Connecticut the landlord must deliver the full deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deductions with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of any damages, not later than 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). Deductions are limited to the value of any damages from the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's obligations, which the statute defines as rent and utility payments due, the tenant's duties under Sec. 47a-11, and the reasonable cost of changing the locks under Sec. 47a-7b (Sec. 47a-21(a)). A landlord who violates the return provision is liable for twice the amount of the deposit; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is the greater of ten dollars or twice the interest (Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). The deposit stays the tenant's property in which the landlord holds only a security interest (Sec. 47a-21(c)). If the demand is ignored, a Connecticut tenant may bring an action in replevin or for money damages (Sec. 47a-21(g)); small claims covers money claims up to $5,000, and the deadline to sue on a written lease is six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 52-576). DocDraft builds your Connecticut security deposit demand letter from your facts, with attorney review available before you send it.
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Key Things to Know
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A security deposit demand letter is a written demand a Connecticut tenant sends a former landlord to recover a deposit withheld past the state deadline, before bringing a replevin or money-damages action.
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The landlord must deliver the deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance with a written itemized statement of damages, not later than 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)).
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Giving the landlord a written forwarding address is what starts or extends the deadline, so a Connecticut tenant should include that address in the demand and keep proof of it (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)).
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A landlord who violates the return provision is liable for twice the amount of the security deposit; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is the greater of ten dollars or twice the interest (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)).
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Deductions are limited to damages from the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's obligations, defined as rent and utility payments due, the tenant's duties under Sec. 47a-11, and the reasonable cost of changing the locks under Sec. 47a-7b (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(a)).
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A landlord may not demand a deposit greater than two months' rent, or one month's rent for a tenant 62 or older, and the deposit remains the tenant's property in which the landlord holds only a security interest (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(b), (c)).
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If the demand is ignored, a Connecticut tenant may bring an action in replevin or for money damages (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(g)); small claims covers money claims up to $5,000, and the deadline to sue on a written lease is six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 52-576).
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Security Deposit Demand Letter in Connecticut, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Security Deposit Demand Letter guide walks through them.
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Connecticut Requirements for Security Deposit Demand Letter
21-Day Return Deadline
In Connecticut the landlord must deliver the deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance with a written itemized statement of damages, not later than 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). Public Act 23-207 cut this period from 30 to 21 days.
Give a Written Forwarding Address
A written forwarding address from the tenant is what starts or extends the return deadline, and case annotations on the official statute page note a tenant must have provided one to recover double damages (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). Include your forwarding address in the demand and keep proof you sent it.
Written Itemized Statement of Damages
If the landlord keeps any part of the deposit, the landlord must deliver a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of the damages, together with the balance and accrued interest, within the same deadline (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). A missing itemized statement can make the deductions improper.
Penalty of Twice the Deposit
A landlord who violates the return provision is liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid by the tenant; if the only violation is failure to deliver accrued interest, liability is the greater of ten dollars or twice the interest (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(d)(2)). The double-damages liability turns on the violation, not on proof of bad faith.
Deductions Limited to the Tenant's Obligations
A landlord may deduct only the value of damages from the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's obligations, defined as rent and utility payments due, the tenant's duties under Sec. 47a-11, and the reasonable cost of changing the locks under Sec. 47a-7b if unpaid (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(a), (d)). Deductions outside those categories can be disputed.
Deposit Cap and Accrued Interest
A landlord may not demand more than two months' rent, or one month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older, and must pay interest on the deposit at not less than the annual deposit index rate (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(b), (i)). The deposit remains the tenant's property in which the landlord holds only a security interest (Sec. 47a-21(c)).
Send With Proof of Delivery
Send the demand to the landlord using a trackable method such as certified mail with return receipt, and be sure it carries your written forwarding address. Keep a copy of the letter and the delivery record, since both the deadline and the double-damages remedy can depend on your having given that address.
Right of Action, Small Claims Limit, and Deadline
If the demand is ignored, a Connecticut tenant may bring an action in replevin or for money damages to reclaim the deposit (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21(g)); small claims handles money claims up to $5,000. The deadline to sue on a written lease is six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 52-576).