A Connecticut Rental Application helps landlords vet prospective tenants before entering a lease agreement. The document uncovers relevant information and simplifies the applicant screening process.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – § 47a-21(14)(b) – Maximum amount equal to two months’ rent
State Laws
Application Fees
Connecticut allows property owners to charge a fee for background checks and other application processing expenses. No state law limits how much you can charge for a fee, but the amount should approximate the background check cost.
Security Deposits
A landlord cannot charge a security deposit of more than two months’ rent for a tenant under 62 years of age. For renters aged 62 or older, a landlord can’t charge more than one month’s rent for the security deposit.
State law also stipulates you must provide your tenant with a written receipt for the security deposit within 30 days. You must also hold a security deposit separate from other funds (CT Gen Stat § 47a-21(4)(a)).
Pet Deposits
Landlords can charge pet deposits in a reasonable amount. Service animals are exempt, and disabled renters with such pets are not required to pay an additional deposit. However, if a service pet causes property damages, the tenant is liable for any costs incurred.
Other resources:
How to Conduct an Eviction Records Search
An eviction record search will tell you if any legal actions have been taken against a prospective tenant in the past seven years involving unpaid rent or a refusal to vacate a property after being given proper written notice.
You can access these records by searching the Connecticut Public Records Directory, which the Department of Justice recommends.
Sample
