Can a Landlord Enter Without Permission in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, landlord entry is strictly regulated by the Connecticut General Statutes ( C.G.S. § 47a-16). As of 2026, the law ensures that while landlords can maintain their property, tenant privacy remains a protected right.

Legal Entry Without Prior Permission

A landlord may enter a rental unit without consent only in these four scenarios:

• Emergencies: Immediate entry is allowed for crises like fire, active flooding, or gas leaks ( C.G.S. § 47a-16(b)).

• Extended Absence: Under C.G.S. § 47a-16a, if a tenant is away for an extended period (and has notified the landlord as required by the lease), the landlord may enter at “reasonable times” to inspect or repair the property.

• Abandonment: If the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.

• Court Order: Entry is permitted if authorized by a judge.

Requirements for Standard Entry

For routine maintenance, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or tenants:

• Reasonable Notice: The law requires “reasonable” notice, which Connecticut courts and the Department of Housing typically interpret as 24 hours.

• Reasonable Times: Entry must occur during “reasonable times” (generally interpreted as standard business hours).

• Non-Abuse: The landlord may not “abuse the right of entry or use such right of entry to harass the tenant” ( C.G.S. § 47a-16(c)).

Tenant Rights and Remedies

• Withholding Consent: A tenant cannot unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter for lawful purposes like repairs or inspections.

• Unlawful Entry: If a landlord enters illegally or uses the right of entry to harass, the tenant may recover actual damages (not less than one month’s rent) and reasonable attorney’s fees ( C.G.S. § 47a-18a).

The information for this answer was found on our Connecticut Landlord Tenant Rights answers.