Calculate Your Connecticut Deposit Deadline & Statutory Damages
Enter your move-out / key-surrender date and deposit amount to check whether your landlord is past the Connecticut statutory deadline under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21.
Connecticut Security Deposit Law Quick Facts
| Governing Statute | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 |
|---|---|
| Return Deadline | 21 days (21 days after termination of tenancy or 15 days after receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later) |
| Maximum Deposit Cap | 2 months' rent (1 month's rent if tenant is 62 years of age or older) |
| Bad-Faith / Late Penalty | Up to 2.0x — Twice the amount of the security deposit (or twice the balance wrongfully withheld if only interest/partial failed) |
| Small Claims Court Limit | $5,000 |
| Interest Required? | Yes — landlord must hold deposit in escrow and pay annual interest rate set by the Banking Commissioner |
| Walkthrough / Inspection | Escrow account and written itemized statement with repair costs strictly required |
Example: On a $1,800 deposit wrongfully withheld past the 21-day deadline in Connecticut, statutory provisions allow claims up to $3,600 (2.0x) in Small Claims Court (limit $5,000).
Landlord Missed the Deadline or Overcharging for Normal Wear?
Get the complete Keep the Deposit Recovery System: our 48-Hour Move-Out & Dispute Handbook, 7 Fill-in-the-Blank Statutory Demand Letters (citing Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21), the 50-State Reference Guide, and the Excel Prorated Depreciation Audit Workbook.
- Certified-mail demand templates for missed deadlines & itemized receipt requests
- HUD carpet, paint & appliance useful-life prorated deduction calculator (.xlsx + PDF)
- Room-by-room photo evidence log & small-claims preparation checklist
How to Dispute Unfair Carpet, Paint & Cleaning Deductions in Connecticut
Even when a Connecticut landlord mails an itemized list within 21 days, they cannot charge you for normal wear and tear or bill you 100% of the replacement cost for an aged asset that has already exhausted most of its useful life.
1. Useful-Life Proration
Standard apartment carpet depreciates over 5 years (60 months). If carpet was 4 years old at move-out, the maximum recoverable value is 20% — never a full replacement bill.
2. Statutory Demand Notice
Send a written demand via Certified Mail citing Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 and giving a firm 7-to-10 business day deadline before filing in Connecticut Small Claims Court.
3. Prorated Audit Calculator
Use our free Carpet & Paint Depreciation Calculator to calculate the exact legal deduction cap in seconds.