The Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 831 Section 47a-21 governs how a landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit at the end of a residential tenancy:
Payment of Security Deposit and Interest
(1) Not later than the time specified in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the person who is the landlord at the time a tenancy is terminated, other than a rent receiver, shall pay to the tenant or former tenant:
- (A) The amount of any security deposit that was deposited by the tenant with the person who was landlord at the time such security deposit was deposited less the value of any damages that any person who was a landlord of such premises at any time during the tenancy of such tenant has suffered as a result of such tenant’s failure to comply with such tenant’s obligations; and
- (B) any accrued interest. If the landlord at the time of termination of a tenancy is a rent receiver, such rent receiver shall return security deposits in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (3) of this subsection.
See also Connecticut Landlord to Pay Interest on Security Deposits.
Tenant Forwarding Address
(2) Upon termination of a tenancy, any tenant may notify the landlord in writing of such tenant’s forwarding address. Not later than thirty days after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of such tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later, each landlord other than a rent receiver shall deliver to the tenant or former tenant at such forwarding address either
- (A) the full amount of the security deposit paid by such tenant plus accrued interest, or
- (B) the balance of such security deposit and accrued interest after deduction for any damages suffered by such landlord by reason of such tenant’s failure to comply with such tenant’s obligations, together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of such damages. Any landlord who violates any provision of this subsection shall be liable for twice the amount of any security deposit paid by such tenant, except that, if the only violation is the failure to deliver the accrued interest, such landlord shall be liable for ten dollars or twice the amount of the accrued interest, whichever is greater.
If the Court Appointed a Receiver
(3)(A) Any receiver who is authorized by a court to return security deposits and to inspect the premises of any tenant shall pay security deposits and accrued interest in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection from the operating income of such receivership to the extent that any such payments exceed the amount in any escrow accounts for such tenants.
(B) Any rent receiver shall present any claim by any tenant for return of a security deposit to the court which authorized the rent receiver. Such court shall determine the validity of any such claim and shall direct such rent receiver to pay from the escrow account or from the operating income of such property the amount due such tenant as determined by such court.
Penalty for Failing to Return Deposit
Any person who is a landlord at the time of termination of a tenancy and who knowingly and wilfully fails to pay all or any part of a security deposit when due shall be subject to a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars for each offense, provided it shall be an affirmative defense under this subdivision that such failure was caused by such landlord’s good faith belief that he was entitled to deduct the value of damages he has suffered as a result of such tenant’s failure to comply with such tenant’s obligations.
Conn. Gen. Stat. Title 47a Ch 831 Sec 47a-21.
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