Get Your Deposit Back

Start based on your situation

• Deposit not returned
• Unfair deductions
• 21 days after the later applicable statutory trigger
• Avoid problems before move-out

What the law actually says

In Connecticut, landlords generally must return the deposit plus accrued interest within 21 days after termination, or 15 days after receiving your written forwarding address if that is later.

If they keep any of it, they must send a compliant written itemized statement. Deductions are strongest when tied to actual tenant noncompliance, not ordinary turnover.

If they miss the deposit-plus-interest and itemization rule, you could have double-deposit leverage when the facts support it. If the only issue is unpaid interest, Connecticut treats that differently with a smaller penalty.

Read the full law overview

You can handle this yourself

Most situations follow a simple pattern:

1. Understand the timeline
2. Document what happened
3. Send a clear written demand
4. Follow up or escalate if needed

The guides on this site walk through each step so you can do it yourself if you want to, from written forwarding-address proof through demand and possible small claims.

Why this is structured this way

This approach came out of a simple problem: a lot of renters deal with the same situation, but the process is usually scattered and unclear.

Once the timeline, documentation, and communication are handled properly, many issues get resolved without going anywhere near a courtroom.

Over time, that turned into a repeatable process — one that tends to move things forward and, in many cases, gets your deposit back before it ever reaches court.

Where to start

• Understand the law
• If your deposit was not returned
• If you are preparing to move out