Connecticut Guide
Connecticut's 21-day clock ran out? Demand your deposit back.
Connecticut gives landlords less time than renters expect — 21 days under CGS § 47a-21, with double-damages exposure if they blow it. A dated written demand shows you're tracking that clock and expecting a real answer.
Write it free below. If you'd rather not deal with the printer and post office, we mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified with delivery tracking for $19.
Best fit
- The deadline has already passed
- You sent your forwarding address
- The landlord is vague or slow
- You want stronger leverage in writing
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated demand letter like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Maria Santos 410 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511
May 29, 2026
Daniel Pierce Pierce Realty Group 75 Elm Street New Haven, CT 06510
Re: Security Deposit Demand under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21
Dear Daniel Pierce,
This letter confirms my forwarding address in writing and requests the return of my security deposit for 22 Howe Street, Apt 5, New Haven, CT. My tenancy ended on April 30, 2026.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 47a-21, the security deposit and any accrued interest must be returned, or a written itemized statement of damages must be sent, within the statutory deadline.
If you claim deductions, please send the written itemization and the remaining balance immediately. If no valid deductions apply, please return the full amount without delay.
Please send the response and payment to the mailing address listed above.
Sincerely,
Maria Santos
How it works
Fill in your details
Your info, the landlord's mailing address, your move-out date, and the deposit amount. Takes a couple of minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 so you have proof it was delivered.
Why the 21-day rule matters
Connecticut gives landlords less time than most renters expect. Under CGS § 47a-21, the landlord must return the deposit — or deliver a written itemized statement of deductions with any remaining balance — within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant provides a forwarding address, whichever is later.
If the landlord fails to meet that deadline, state materials note they can face liability for twice the amount wrongfully withheld. That potential consequence is exactly why a clear, dated written demand is worth sending as soon as the deadline passes.
A text exchange or verbal request does not carry the same weight. A mailed letter with a specific date, a specific dollar amount, and a response deadline is what shows you are tracking the timeline and expecting a real answer.
When the clock starts
The 21 days run from the later of two events: the end of the tenancy, or the date you provided your forwarding address. If you moved out but never gave the landlord a written forwarding address, the clock may not have started yet.
If you provided your new address verbally or by text, follow up with a dated written record — even a short email with a read receipt — so there is no dispute about when the 21-day window opened.
What to put in your demand
- Your name and current address
- The rental property address
- Your move-out date
- The date you provided your forwarding address
- The full amount of the deposit you paid
- A direct request: return the deposit or provide a proper itemized statement
- A specific response deadline
What to expect after sending
The landlord returns the deposit. Some landlords move quickly once a written, dated demand is in hand. The formality of a real letter signals you are paying attention to the calendar.
The landlord sends an itemized statement. Review it carefully. Normal wear and tear is not a valid deduction. Deductions should be specific, dated, and supported by receipts or estimates where possible. If anything looks padded or vague, consult Connecticut Legal Services before deciding how to respond.
No response. If the landlord ignores the letter, that record — along with the postmark and your move-out documentation — becomes your evidence in small claims court.
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. Security deposit disputes can depend on specific lease terms and circumstances. Consult a qualified Connecticut attorney or Connecticut Legal Services if you have questions about your situation.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the Connecticut security deposit demand template, add your move-out date and forwarding address details, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.