As is apparent from the pleadings and the referee’s findings, the defendants meet the definition of landlord as defined in those two statutes. They are the owners of the dwelling unit in accordance with § 47a-l (d), and, under § 47a-21 (a) (6) (B), they were also “successors to ... a landlord’s interest . . . .” The Riveros, as sublessors, were the plaintiffs’ landlords by virtue of § 47a-21 (a) (6) (C). When the plaintiffs paid a security deposit to the Riveros, however, to replace the security deposit that the Riveros had paid to the defendants, the defendants became successors to the Riveros’ interest in the plaintiffs’ security deposit. The Riveros’ inter*784est as holders of the second security deposit was transferred to the defendants. Nancy Rivero testified that the defendants understood that the security deposit in their hands belonged to the plaintiffs. Therefore, for purposes of § 47a-21 (d) (2), the defendants are the plaintiffs’ landlords with respect to the plaintiffs’ security deposit. Further, the plaintiffs fit under the statutory definitions as tenants. They are the persons entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit or premises to the exclusion of others.