In Connecticut, in order for the delivery of a lease termination or eviction notice to be legal, certain rules and procedures must be followed. If they are not and the case proceeds to court, the case may be postponed or dismissed by a judge.
Who Can Serve Eviction Notices in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, landlords cannot serve a 3 day notice to quit (for nonpayment of rent) or a 3 day notice to vacate (for an incurable breach of the lease), but can deliver notice of an expiring lease, or a Notice To Comply or Vacate.
A state marshal, proper officer or a person specially appointed by the court must serve any 3 Day Notice.
When Can Eviction Notices Be Served in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, an eviction or lease termination notice may be served any day of the week. For notices to be served by the state marshal, proper officer or specially appointed person by the court, they will inform the landlord when the notice is scheduled to be delivered.
For a 3 Day Notice to Quit, the eviction notice used for tenants that do not pay rent in full and on time, a notice can be served four (4) days after rent is due for a one (1) week tenancy or nine (9) days after the rent is due for all other tenancies.
Acceptable Forms of Service in Connecticut
Connecticut landlords who are giving notice of an expiring lease, or delivering a Notice To Comply or Vacate, may inform the tenant by any method which effectively brings it to the tenant’s attention.
Landlords who want the legal option to regain possession of a property when terminating a lease for a valid reason must have the notice delivered by an officer or authorized process server. The third party who serves the process may deliver it by hand or leave it at the tenant’s address.
All Connecticut eviction notices must attach a notice of tenant rights advising that the tenant may be able to obtain free legal counsel related to the eviction.
Obtaining Proof of Service in Connecticut
After serving the notice, the state marshal, proper officer or specially appointed person by the court will complete proof of service for the landlord, as required by law. The landlord can expect to receive the original notice with proof of service by mail.
After the landlord serves a notice, the landlord shall complete the declaration of service or certificate of service for proof of service. The landlord should keep the original notice and proof of service in the tenant’s file for their records.
Connecticut Eviction and Lease Termination Notice Forms
| Notice Form | Grounds |
| 3 Day Notice To Quit | Eviction for Unpaid Rent |
| 15 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate | Eviction for Lease Violation |
| 3 Day Notice To Vacate | Eviction for Illegal Activity
Eviction for Repeat Lease Violation |
| 30 Day Notice To Vacate | End of / No Lease |
Sources
- 1 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23(c)
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A copy of such notice [to quit] shall be delivered to each lessee or occupant or left at such lessee’s or occupant’s place of residence or, if the rental agreement or lease concerns commercial property, at the place of the commercial establishment by a proper officer or indifferent person. Delivery of such notice may be made on any day of the week.
Source Link - 2 C.G.S.A. § 47a-15a
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Sec. 47a-15a. Nonpayment of rent by tenant: Landlord’s remedy. If rent is unpaid when due and the tenant fails to pay rent within nine days thereafter or, in the case of a one-week tenancy, within four days thereafter, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement in accordance with the provisions of sections 47a-23 to 47a-23b, inclusive.
Source Link - 3 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15(a)
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Prior to the commencement of a summary process action, except in the case in which the landlord elects to proceed under sections 47a-23 to 47a-23b, inclusive, to evict based on nonpayment of rent, on conduct by the tenant which constitutes a serious nuisance or on a violation of subsection (h) of section 47a-11, if there is a material noncompliance with section 47a-11 which materially affects the health and safety of the other tenants or materially affects the physical condition of the premises, or if there is a material noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement or a material noncompliance with the rules and regulations adopted in accordance with section 47a-9, and the landlord chooses to evict based on such noncompliance, the landlord shall deliver a written notice to the tenant specifying the acts or omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement shall terminate upon a date not less than fifteen days after receipt of the notice. If such breach can be remedied by repair by the tenant or payment of damages by the tenant to the landlord, and such breach is not so remedied within such fifteen-day period, the rental agreement shall terminate…
Source Link - 4 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-75(f)
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(1) The Judicial Branch, in consultation with the administering entity, working group and designated organizations, shall approve a one-page plain-language notice to inform a tenant of the rights under the right to counsel program. Not later than October 1, 2021, such notice shall be made available on the Judicial Branch’s Internet web site and available to the public. Such notice shall include a phone number for accessing information and applying for assistance.
(2) On and after October 1, 2021, an owner, lessor, landlord, legal representative or agent of an owner, lessor or landlord, a housing authority or a housing subsidy program administrator, as applicable, shall attach a copy of the notice described under subdivision (1) of this subsection, to (A) a notice to quit delivered to a covered individual pursuant to chapter 832 or chapter 412; (B) a summons and complaint for a summary process action pursuant to chapter 832 or chapter 412; (C) a lease termination notice for a public or subsidized housing unit; and (D) a notice to terminate a state or federal housing subsidy.
Source Link
