Sec. 47-271. Escrow of deposits. Distribution of interest. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 47-271. Escrow of deposits. Distribution of interest. (a) Any deposit made in connection with the purchase or reservation of a unit from a person required to deliver a public offering statement pursuant to subsection (c) of section 47-263 shall be placed in escrow and held either in this state or in the state where the unit is located in an account designated solely for that purpose by a licensed title insurance company, an attorney, a licensed real estate broker, an independent bonded escrow company or an institution whose accounts are insured by a governmental agency or instrumentality until (1) delivered to the declarant at closing; (2) delivered to the declarant because of the purchaser's default under a contract to purchase the unit; or (3) refunded to the purchaser.

      (b) If such deposit is made in connection with the purchase or reservation of a unit to be occupied by the purchaser and is placed in an interest-bearing escrow account other than an account established and maintained pursuant to section 51-81c, any interest which accrues thereon from the date of such deposit until its disposition pursuant to subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (a) of this section shall be distributed as follows: (1) If such deposit is delivered to the declarant at closing or refunded to the purchaser, such interest shall be divided equally between the purchaser and the declarant; and (2) if such deposit is delivered to the declarant because of the purchaser's default under a contract to purchase the unit, such interest shall be paid to the declarant.

      (c) Any person who procures the wrongful release of any escrow funds to the declarant or to a third party, with intent to defraud the purchaser, shall be guilty of embezzlement and on conviction shall be punished in the manner provided by law.

      (P.A. 83-474, S. 72, 96; P.A. 87-358, S. 5; 87-589, S. 55.)

      History: P.A. 87-358 added Subsec. (b) re distribution of interest if a deposit is made in connection with the purchase or reservation of a unit to be occupied by the purchaser and is placed in interest-bearing escrow account, and relettered former Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c); P.A. 87-589 amended Subsec. (b) by adding "other than an account established and maintained pursuant to section 51-81c".