Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-4c
Landlord prohibited from requiring electronic funds transfer as exclusive form of payment.
Operative Text
For any lease or rental agreement executed on or after October 1, 2013, no landlord of residential real property shall require electronic funds transfer as the exclusive form of payment of rent or a security deposit. For purposes of this section, “electronic funds transfer” means any transfer of funds that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone or computer or magnetic tape so as to order, instruct or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit an account but shall not include any transfer originated by check, draft or similar paper instrument.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4c, for any residential lease or rental agreement signed on or after October 1, 2013, a landlord may not make electronic funds transfer the only accepted method for paying rent or a security deposit. Tenants must be offered at least one alternative payment option, such as a check or other paper instrument. The law defines electronic funds transfer broadly to include payments initiated through electronic terminals, phones, computers, or magnetic tape, but explicitly excludes checks, drafts, and similar paper instruments.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4c requires that residential landlords who entered into leases on or after October 1, 2013, accept at least one non-electronic payment method—such as a personal check or money order—for rent and security deposits. Compliant operators typically update their lease templates and payment policies to ensure that electronic funds transfer is offered as an option rather than mandated as the sole method. Reviewing existing lease agreements and payment procedures against this provision helps ensure ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4c gives residential tenants the right to pay rent and security deposits by a method other than electronic funds transfer, provided the lease was signed on or after October 1, 2013. If a landlord insists that electronic payment is the only accepted form, that requirement may conflict with this provision. Tenants who believe their landlord is violating this rule may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to Connecticut's housing authorities, or raising the violation as a defense in any related legal proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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