Connecticut's Public Act 25-44 changed two things for landlords. Since October 1, 2025, advertised rent must include periodic fees a tenant has to pay, with a few exceptions. Starting April 1, 2026, a written rental agreement must have a completed copy of the Department of Housing's Rental Terms Summary Form as its first page. A landlord who violates these rules can owe the tenant one month's rent, plus attorney's fees.
Key takeaways
- Advertised rent has to include mandatory recurring fees, prorated monthly, even if the tenant can opt out of a default fee.
- Pet fees, true payment-processing fees, metered or variable utilities and one-off service fees can be listed separately.
- Every written lease given on or after April 1, 2026 needs the state's summary form on page one.
You've used the same lease for years. It works. Your listings say $1,650 a month, and the tenants know about the $40 trash and amenity fee because it's in section 12. Connecticut changed the rules on both of those habits, and the second one comes with a cover page.
Here's what Public Act 25-44 asks of landlords, without the legalese.
What does Connecticut's fee advertising rule require?
When you advertise, display or offer a unit for rent, the rent you show has to include any periodic fee, charge or cost the tenant must pay. Monthly default fees also have to be prorated and included, even if the tenant can opt out. The rule took effect October 1, 2025 (CGA summary).
You can still list these separately:
- A payment-processing fee that reflects the actual cost, if you offer a way to pay without it.
- Pet fees or pet deposits.
- Utilities that are submetered, or paid directly to the utility, and vary month to month.
- Fees for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- Separate fees for a service, like a lockout or a replacement key.
So in the example above, the listing would show $1,690, not $1,650.
What is the Rental Terms Summary Form?
It's a standardized one-page summary published by the Connecticut Department of Housing, in English and Spanish. Starting April 1, 2026, a landlord can't give a tenant a written rental agreement unless its first page is a completed copy of the form (CGA summary). The form covers:
- The rental agreement's terms.
- The landlord's name.
- The point of contact for property management.
- Each tenant's name.
- Total periodic rent, including the fees that have to be included.
You can download the fillable Rental Terms Summary Form from the Department of Housing.
What happens if a landlord doesn't comply?
A landlord who violates these provisions is liable to the tenant for a civil penalty of one month's rent, and a court may award the tenant reasonable attorney's fees and costs (CGA summary). The act also requires tenant payments to be applied to rent first, then to other fees.
A Connecticut lease checklist
- List every recurring fee your tenants must pay. Add them into the advertised rent.
- Update online listings, signs and any rent quoted by phone or text.
- Download the Rental Terms Summary Form and fill it in for each lease.
- Make the completed form page one of every written lease you give a tenant.
- Apply payments to rent first, then to fees, in your ledger or software.
- Have a Connecticut attorney review your lease template if you haven't recently.
Where does insurance fit in?
These rules are about leases and listings, not insurance. But updating your lease paperwork is a natural moment to check the rest of the file: that the policy names the actual owner on the deed, that your liability limit fits the number of units you own, and that you know what your policy does if a unit sits empty. If you own a 5+ unit building, or more than one rental, those questions are worth a short call.
Questions owners ask us
When did the fee advertising rule start?
October 1, 2025, according to the Connecticut General Assembly's summary of Public Act 25-44.
Which fees can I leave out of the advertised rent?
The summary lists five: a payment-processing fee that reflects the actual cost when you offer a fee-free option, pet fees or deposits, submetered or directly paid utilities that vary month to month, fees for damage beyond normal wear and tear, and separate fees for services like lockouts or key replacement.
Where do I get the Rental Terms Summary Form?
The Connecticut Department of Housing publishes it, in English and Spanish. A fillable version is linked in the sources below.
Does the form go on renewals too?
The summary says the requirement applies to giving any tenant a written rental agreement starting April 1, 2026. If you're unsure whether a renewal counts, ask a Connecticut attorney before you send it.
Does any of this change my insurance?
Not directly. But tenant disputes and lease paperwork are where landlord liability questions start, and the summary form asks you to name a property management contact. It's a good prompt to confirm your liability limit and that the right owner is named on the policy.
Sources
- Connecticut General Assembly: Public Act 25-44 summary
- Connecticut Department of Housing: Rental Terms Summary Form (fillable PDF)
This guide is educational, not legal advice. Policy wording varies by company and form, so your own declarations page and endorsements decide what is covered. Local rules change; confirm with the agency named in each source.
You can do it. We can help.