Evictions in Connecticut can test a landlord’s patience. Between strict notice rules, tight court timelines, and tenant protections, the process demands precision from start to finish. This guide breaks down every step (from notice to judgment) and explains how state law shapes each decision.
How Connecticut Law Defines Eviction
An eviction in Connecticut happens when a landlord takes legal action to remove a tenant from a rental property. Landlords begin this process by filing a Summary Process case to regain possession of the unit. While doing so, they must follow strict timelines, serve notices correctly, and meet every requirement.
You can find Connecticut eviction laws in the Connecticut General Statutes under Title 47a, Chapter 832, which explains notice to quit rules, Summary Process steps, and how courts handle judgments.
Eviction With Just Cause
Just cause in Connecticut refers to a legally valid reason a landlord must have to end certain tenancies. The state grants this protection to tenants who are 62 or older or who have a disability when they live in buildings with 5 or more units. These tenants cannot face a no-fault eviction, meaning landlords must show a clear legal cause before ending the tenancy.
Landlords in Connecticut can proceed with just cause evictions when issues such as unpaid rent, serious lease violations, refusal of a reasonable rent increase, removal of the unit from the rental market, or plans to live in the unit arise. Courts require landlords to follow strict notice and filing rules before taking the case to Summary Process, ensuring each step aligns with Connecticut law.
Clear records of payments, lease violations, written notices, and communication help judges confirm that the claimed just cause meets the state’s legal standard. Organized evidence also protects landlords if a tenant challenges the eviction in court.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23c
No-Fault Evictions
Landlords in Connecticut may still pursue no-fault evictions in some cases, but there are limits depending on the tenant’s situation. The state’s just cause protections apply only to tenants who are 62 or older or who have a disability when they live in buildings with 5 or more units. For those renters, landlords cannot end the tenancy without a legally valid reason.
For tenants without just-cause protections, landlords can end the tenancy at lease expiration or during a month-to-month rental. The process starts with a 3-day Notice to Quit for lapse of time, which essentially lets the tenant know the rental term has ended. This notice doesn’t need to cite a reason like unpaid rent or a lease violation, but landlords still have to follow every legal step, including proper notice, accurate paperwork, and filing a Summary Process case in court.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23
Grounds for Eviction in Connecticut
Connecticut landlords may remove tenants for several legally supported reasons, such as:
Non-Payment of Rent
Connecticut landlords often face nonpayment issues, and the law provides tenants with a 9-day grace period for monthly leases and a 4-day grace period for weekly leases. Once a renter goes beyond that grace period, landlords can issue a 3-day Notice to Quit for nonpayment, requiring the tenant to pay in full or move out. Landlords rely on this notice to move stalled situations forward and set up the next steps in the Summary Process if the tenant still refuses to pay.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15a
Lease Violations
A rental agreement outlines the rules of the landlord-tenant relationship, and when a tenant breaks those rules, Connecticut landlords gain solid grounds to start the eviction process.
A few examples of lease violations include:
- A tenant brings in an extra, undocumented roommate even though the lease limits the unit to single occupancy.
- A renter runs a weekend catering business out of the apartment, causing steady noise and traffic complaints.
- A tenant keeps a large dog despite an explicit no-pets clause and ignoring repeated written warnings.
Lease agreements protect both sides, so landlords and tenants need to understand every term clearly and avoid stepping outside the agreement. When a violation occurs, landlords can issue a 15-day Notice to Remedy or Quit under state law, which gives the tenant a final chance to fix the problem before the landlord files a Summary Process case.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15
Illegal Use of the Premises
Connecticut law allows landlords to act quickly when a tenant uses the property for illegal activity. Whether a renter sells fentanyl out of a basement, runs an illegal dog-fighting setup in a garage, or hosts unlicensed cash gambling that draws police to the building, landlords can treat the situation as a serious nuisance and start the eviction process without offering time to fix the behavior.
Because these cases move fast, courts across the state expect landlords to present clear evidence when they file for Summary Process.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15
Tenant Actions that Threaten Health or Safety
Connecticut landlords can move quickly when a tenant’s behavior threatens the health or safety of others in the building. State law treats these situations as a serious nuisance, which allows landlords to file for Summary Process immediately.
Common examples of health and safety violations include:
- Tampering with smoke detectors or removing batteries.
- Allowing trash, food waste, or clutter to build up until pests or mold spread.
- Propping open secured exterior doors in multi-unit buildings.
Landlords should document each problem clearly and file a Summary Process case as soon as they confirm the behavior qualifies as a serious nuisance. For more context on housing standards, Connecticut’s warranty of habitability explains the health and safety rules courts rely on.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15
Destruction or Neglect of the Rental Unit
Connecticut landlords can act quickly when a tenant causes substantial and wilful damage to the rental unit or neglects the space in a way that harms the property. State law treats this level of destruction as a serious nuisance, which allows landlords to file for Summary Process without giving the tenant time to correct the problem.
Landlords should build a clear record by taking photos, saving repair estimates, collecting contractor notes, and documenting every inspection. Strong evidence helps show the court that the damage goes far beyond normal wear and tear and supports eviction under Connecticut law.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15
Tenant is in a Month-to-Month Rental Contract
Connecticut landlords can end a month-to-month rental agreement whenever they decide to move in a different direction. To close out the tenancy, they serve a 3-day Notice to Quit for lapse of time, which sets a firm move-out deadline. If the tenant stays past that date, the landlord can file a Summary Process case in court.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23
Step-by-Step Eviction Process in Connecticut
Connecticut landlords follow a structured eviction process that begins with proper notice and proceeds through the court system. They must follow a strict step-by-step process to keep the case valid and enforceable.
Here are the steps landlords must take:
1. Deliver Notice to the Tenant
Connecticut landlords start the eviction process by identifying the issue and serving the correct notice. For nonpayment, landlords should wait the 9-day grace period for monthly rentals or the 4-day grace period for weekly rentals, then deliver a 3-day Notice to Quit. Lease violations that allow a cure require a 15-day Notice to Remedy or Quit. When the conduct qualifies as a serious nuisance, landlords use a 3-day Notice to Quit immediately.
Notice Forms and Timelines
- 9-day grace period for monthly rent; 4 days for weekly rent before issuing a notice
- 3-day Notice to Quit for nonpayment
- 15-day Notice to Remedy or Quit for curable lease violations
- 3-day Notice to Quit for serious nuisance or wilful destruction
- 3-day Notice to Quit for lapse of time when ending a month-to-month tenancy
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-15, Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23
2. File an Eviction Lawsuit Against the Tenant
The landlord can proceed with eviction once the notice expires or the tenant refuses to cure the violation. The landlord will file a Summons and Complaint for Summary Process with the Connecticut Superior Court and pay a $175 filing fee.
After the landlord submits the paperwork, the clerk will review it and assign a return date, which must fall at least 6 days after service of the document. The clerk will then set a hearing date and notify both sides. Landlords should monitor mail closely, since the court’s schedule often moves quickly in housing sessions.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23a
3. Serve Court Summons Paperwork to the Tenant
Once the court clerk sets the hearing date in the Summary Process case, the landlord will arrange for a state marshal or constable to serve the tenant with the Summons and Complaint, the original Notice to Quit, and all required attachments. Connecticut restricts service in eviction cases to these officials, and each one will complete a Return of Service form (JD-HM-1) that the landlord will file with the court.
After service is complete, the tenant must file an Appearance form (JD-CL-12) within 2 days of the Return Date to contest the eviction. Both sides will then appear in court on the scheduled date that the clerk assigns. Courts move quickly in Connecticut housing sessions, so landlords should watch for notices as soon as the case is filed.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-23a
4. Attend the Eviction Hearing
When the hearing date arrives, the landlord will appear in the Connecticut housing session and present the lease, the Notice to Quit, payment or violation records, photographs, and witness statements. The tenant (or their attorney) can present their own evidence and raise any defenses the court allows.
The judge will review each document, listen to testimony, and request additional records or witnesses if needed. Both sides will answer questions and clarify details as the court gathers facts. The hearing will continue until the judge finishes reviewing the information and begins deliberation.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-26d
5. Court Reaches a Ruling
The landlord will wait as the judge reviews all documents and arguments, and then issue a ruling in the Summary Process case. In Connecticut housing sessions, judges often decide at the hearing or later the same day, especially in busy courts like Hartford or Bridgeport.
If the judge rules in the tenant’s favor, the tenant can remain in the unit and may need to follow a payment or compliance plan. If the judge rules in the landlord’s favor, the landlord will receive a Judgment for Possession and may request execution. The tenant will have the right to appeal an eviction within 5 days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, before the ruling becomes final.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-35
6. Judge Issues an Execution for Possession
When the judge issues a Judgment for possession, the landlord can then obtain an Execution for Possession from the courts (once the 5-day appeal period ends). This document authorizes a state marshal to carry out the physical removal and gives the tenant one final deadline before the move-out.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-42, Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-35
7. Law Enforcement Executes the Execution for Possession
After the Execution for Possession is issued, the state marshal will post a 24-hour notice of the removal date and coordinate the eviction. If the deadline passes and the tenant refuses to leave, the state marshal will enforce the Execution for Possession and carry out the physical removal of the tenant. Landlords must never attempt self-help evictions.
If the tenant leaves belongings behind, the marshal will move the items to a storage facility selected by the town under Connecticut law. The tenant will have 15 days to reclaim their property by paying storage costs, and the landlord must still follow these requirements even after possession has been returned. After the deadline passes, the town may sell or dispose of the items as they see fit.
Applicable law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-42
Tenant Defense Against Eviction in Connecticut
An eviction threat in Connecticut can shake up every part of a tenant’s daily life. A pending case might jeopardize work schedules, disrupt family life, or make future housing searches harder. Tenants still hold the right to defend themselves and present evidence when a case moves into Summary Process.
Tenants can improve their position by keeping payment records, reporting repair issues in writing, and responding quickly to notices. Early communication with the landlord, clear written agreements for payment plans, and organized paperwork often prevent minor conflicts from turning into full eviction actions.
Any tenant who feels overwhelmed should reach out for legal help. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut offers free or low-cost support and can guide renters through defenses, timelines, and court expectations when the process becomes too difficult to manage on their own.
Timelines to Expect
In Connecticut, an eviction can be completed in 4 to 7 weeks, but can take longer depending on the reason for eviction, whether the eviction is contested, which days courts are (or aren’t) in session and other various possible delays.
Below are the parts of the Connecticut eviction process outside the control of landlords for cases that go uncontested.
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Initial Notice Period | 3-15 Calendar Days |
| Court Issuing/Serving Summons | 12 Calendar Days |
| Tenant Response Period | 2-5 Business Days |
| Court Ruling | 7-10 Business Days |
| Court Serving Writ of Possession | 5 Business Days |
| Final Notice Period | 24 Hours |
Flowchart of the Connecticut Eviction Process
Typical Court Fees
The total cost of an eviction in Connecticut for all filing, court, and service fees is $355. However, the total cost can vary by service and eviction enforcement fees. Eviction lawsuits shall be filed in the Superior Court.
| Fee | Superior |
| Initial Court Filing | $175 |
| Summons Service | ~$30 |
| Writ of Execution Service | $50 |
| Writ of Execution Enforcement | $100+ |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $175 |
Handle the Connecticut Eviction Process With Ease
Eviction can be a stressful process for everyone involved, especially when notices, court dates, and tenant communication all demand attention at the same time. Property management software can help by tracking payments, storing notices, logging conversations, and keeping essential documents in one secure place.
Sign up for a free account today to stay organized and move through each step with confidence.
