Renting Out Your Property in Connecticut: A Landlord's Guide

Before renting your property, familiarize yourself with Connecticut's landlord-tenant laws, particularly the Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 830 (Landlord and Tenant). These laws outline your rights and responsibilities as a landlord, including security deposit limits, maintenance obligations, and eviction procedures. The Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries website offers resources for landlords.

Create a comprehensive rental application to screen potential tenants. Connecticut law allows landlords to collect application fees, but they must be reasonable. The application should request information about employment, income, rental history, references, and authorization for background and credit checks. Be aware that Connecticut prohibits discrimination based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers.

Draft a written lease agreement that complies with Connecticut law. The lease should include: names of all parties, property address, lease term, rent amount and due date, security deposit amount and terms, utilities responsibilities, maintenance obligations, pet policies, and other house rules. Connecticut requires specific language regarding security deposits and interest payments.

Federal law requires landlords of properties built before 1978 to disclose known information about lead-based paint and provide tenants with the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.' Connecticut has additional lead paint disclosure requirements, especially for properties where children under 6 will reside.

Develop a detailed checklist to document the condition of the property before the tenant moves in and after they move out. This helps prevent disputes over security deposit deductions. Take date-stamped photos to supplement the checklist. Connecticut law requires landlords to provide a reasonable opportunity for tenants to conduct a walk-through inspection.

Create a document outlining house rules that aren't covered in the lease. This may include quiet hours, trash disposal procedures, parking rules, and common area usage. In Connecticut, rules must be reasonable, apply to all tenants equally, and be provided to tenants before they sign the lease.

Connecticut law requires landlords to provide tenants with a written receipt for security deposits, which must include the name and address of the financial institution where the deposit is being held, the amount of the deposit, and the account number. Security deposits in Connecticut cannot exceed two months' rent (or one month's rent for tenants 62 or older).

Prepare a form to notify tenants when you need to enter the property. Connecticut law requires landlords to provide 'reasonable notice' before entering a rental unit, which is generally interpreted as 24 hours except in emergencies. The notice should state the date, approximate time, and purpose of entry.

Check if your municipality requires rental property registration or permits. Many Connecticut towns and cities have local ordinances requiring landlords to register their rental properties and pay associated fees. Some areas also require periodic inspections.

Connecticut law requires security deposits to be held in an escrow account at a financial institution with an office in Connecticut. The account must be separate from your personal funds and must bear interest. As of 2023, landlords must pay tenants interest on their security deposit at the rate set by the banking commissioner.

Secure landlord insurance (also called rental property insurance) that covers the building, liability protection, and potentially lost rental income. Connecticut does not legally require landlords to have insurance, but mortgage lenders typically do, and it protects your investment. Consider requiring tenants to obtain renter's insurance in your lease agreement.

Connecticut landlords must provide habitable housing that meets all building, housing, and health codes. This includes functioning heat (minimum 65°F during cold weather), hot and cold water, electricity, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (if applicable), and proper sanitation. Schedule inspections if necessary.

Familiarize yourself with both federal and Connecticut fair housing laws. Connecticut's protections are broader than federal law and prohibit discrimination based on source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, and other protected classes in addition to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

Create a system for maintaining all rental-related records, including lease agreements, security deposit information, maintenance requests and repairs, communications with tenants, and payment records. Connecticut requires landlords to keep certain records, such as security deposit information, for the duration of the tenancy and beyond.

Create a schedule for routine maintenance and a system for tenants to report repair needs. Connecticut law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a fit and habitable condition. Establish relationships with reliable contractors for various types of repairs. Prompt attention to maintenance issues can prevent more costly problems later.