Connecticut Tenants

Get your security deposit back in Connecticut.

A professional demand letter citing Connecticut's security deposit statute (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21), the 21-day return deadline, and the double-damages penalty for wrongful withholding. Ready in minutes.

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Deadline

21 days

to return your deposit after move-out

Penalty

2× deposit

for wrongful withholding under § 47a-21(d)

Statute

§ 47a-21

Connecticut General Statutes

What Connecticut law actually says.

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21, your landlord must return your deposit, with interest, within 21 days of the end of your tenancy or 15 days after you provide a forwarding address — whichever is later — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions.

If the landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may recover:

  • Twice the amount of the security deposit paid, under § 47a-21(d)(2)
  • All accrued interest on the deposit

So on a $1,500 deposit, a wrongful withholding can support a court judgment of $3,000 plus interest. Most landlords settle quickly once they realize you know the law.

Watch for outdated info: Connecticut’s return deadline was reduced from 30 days to 21 days effective October 1, 2023. Many sources still cite the old 30-day figure — your letter uses the current 21-day rule.

Good to know: Connecticut caps deposits at two months’ rent (one month if you are 62 or older), and your deposit must earn interest at a state-set rate. Your letter computes the correct deadline using the later of the two dates above.

What a Connecticut demand letter looks like.

Every letter follows the structure courts expect — your facts, the statute, a specific demand, and a deadline. Here's the skeleton; the generator fills the brackets from your answers and computes Connecticut's deadlines under § 47a-21.

[Date]

[Your name]
[Your forwarding address]

[Landlord's name and address]

RE: Security Deposit — Formal Demand for Return of $[Amount]

I am the former tenant of [rental property address]. You accepted a security deposit of $[Amount], and my tenancy ended on [move-out date]. My forwarding address for return of the deposit is stated above, which I am providing to you in writing.

Under § 47a-21, you were required to [return the deposit or provide an itemized statement] within [the statutory period]. That period has passed, and you have done neither. [The specific consequence Connecticut law attaches, cited by section.]

I demand return of $[Amount] no later than [deadline]. If I do not receive it, I am prepared to pursue all remedies available under [statute], including filing suit in the appropriate court.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Common questions about Connecticut deposits.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?

21 days after you move out.

What is the penalty if a Connecticut landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit?

A landlord who violates the return-and-statement requirements is liable under § 47a-21(d)(2) for twice the amount of the full security deposit you paid — not merely the portion withheld — plus accrued interest.

Which law covers security deposits in Connecticut?

Connecticut General Statutes § 47a-21. We verify these against the statute text itself; the date we last checked is shown on this page.

Sources & verification

The Connecticut rules on this page were verified against the statute text itself:

  • Connecticut General Statutes § 47a-21

Last verified against primary sources on .

How we verify this →

Laws change. If you spot something out of date, tell us at support@gettenantshield.com and we'll correct it.

What you get for $39.

A professional demand letter

Properly formatted, addressed to your landlord by name, citing the exact Connecticut statutes that apply to your situation.

Specific statute citations

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 and any others triggered by your circumstances — not generic legalese.

Calculated penalty math

The letter computes the exact dollar amount you're entitled to demand based on your deposit and the deductions at issue.

Ready-to-send PDF

Download instantly, print, sign, and send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt.

Ready to get your deposit back?

Most Connecticut landlords return the deposit within days of receiving a properly drafted demand letter.

Generate my letter — $39