A Connecticut Rental Application helps landlords vet prospective tenants before entering into a lease agreement. The document uncovers relevant information and simplifies the applicant screening process.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Application Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – § 47a-21(14)(b) – Maximum amount equal to two months’ rent
State Laws
In Connecticut, there are specific regulations that landlords must follow when screening and reviewing tenant rental applications.
Application Fees
Connecticut allows property owners to charge a rental application fee to cover the cost of background checks and other expenses associated with processing an application. No state law limits how much you can charge for a rental application fee, but the amount should be approximate to the cost of processing the application.
Security Deposits
A landlord is not allowed to 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.
Connecticut 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
In Connecticut, 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.
How to Conduct an Eviction Records Search
An eviction record search will tell you if there have been any legal actions taken against a prospective tenant in the state of Connecticut 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 recommended by the Department of Justice.
Other Landlord Resources
Here are some additional resources to guide Connecticut landlords throughout the rental application process.
Sample
Below is an example of a standard Connecticut rental application form. You can download this in PDF & Word or use our document builder to create a custom application.
