Connecticut rent late fee law
What your landlord is allowed to charge when rent is late, how soon they can charge it, and what to do about a fee the law doesn't allow.
Maximum late fee
Lesser of $5/day (max $50) or 5%
Grace period
9 days (4 for weekly rentals)
The cap
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4(a)(8), 47a-15a, Since October 2023, Connecticut caps late charges at the lesser of $5 per day up to a maximum of $50, or 5% of the delinquent rent payment (5% of the tenant's share for subsidized tenancies). Only one late charge may be assessed per delinquent payment, no matter how long it stays unpaid — and many guides still wrongly say Connecticut has no cap.
When the fee can start
A late charge may not be imposed until a nine-day grace period after the due date has expired (four days for week-to-week tenancies). Lease clauses that charge earlier — or dress the fee up as a lost 'on-time discount' — are prohibited. The charge is only allowed if the rental agreement contains a valid written late-charge provision.
If you've been charged an illegal fee
A prohibited provision is unenforceable. A fee that exceeds the cap, arrives before the grace period ends, or has no lease basis is not lawfully owed — demand its return.
Recent changes
The cap was added by Public Act 23-207, effective October 2023 — recent enough that many landlords and most websites haven't caught up.
Charged a fee the law doesn't allow?
Answer a few questions and get a formal demand letter citing Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4(a)(8), 47a-15a and exactly which rule your landlord broke — free to generate and download. We can also send it by USPS Certified Mail for you, with the delivery record that holds up in court.
Dispute my late feeDid your landlord also keep your security deposit?
Every state sets a deadline for returning your security deposit, with real penalties for landlords who miss it. See what Connecticut law requires and what your landlord may owe you.
Connecticut deposit lawCommon questions
- Is there a limit on late fees for rent in Connecticut?
- Yes. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-4(a)(8), 47a-15a, Since October 2023, Connecticut caps late charges at the lesser of $5 per day up to a maximum of $50, or 5% of the delinquent rent payment (5% of the tenant's share for subsidized tenancies). Only one late charge may be assessed per delinquent payment, no matter how long it stays unpaid — and many guides still wrongly say Connecticut has no cap.
- Can my landlord charge a late fee the day rent is due in Connecticut?
- No. A late charge may not be imposed until a nine-day grace period after the due date has expired (four days for week-to-week tenancies). Lease clauses that charge earlier — or dress the fee up as a lost 'on-time discount' — are prohibited.
- What can I do if my landlord charged an illegal late fee in Connecticut?
- A prohibited provision is unenforceable. A fee that exceeds the cap, arrives before the grace period ends, or has no lease basis is not lawfully owed — demand its return.
Statute text verified against the published source on August 6, 2026. Laws change — confirm the current text before relying on it. This page is general information, not legal advice.