Connecticut Eviction Process (Summary Process)

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut for advice specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

In Connecticut, eviction is legally referred to as Summary Process (C.G.S. § 47a-23). The state has rigid procedural requirements that landlords must follow flawlessly. Any misstep—such as miscalculating the grace period or delivering the notice improperly—can result in the judge dismissing the case and forcing the landlord to start over.

"Self-help" evictions in Connecticut (e.g., changing locks, removing doors, terminating utilities) are strictly illegal and can lead to criminal charges and civil lawsuits resulting in double damages against the landlord.

1. Establishing Grounds for Eviction

A landlord must have legal cause to evict a tenant. Common grounds include:

• Non-payment of rent (after the required grace period).
• Material non-compliance with the lease agreement.
• Material non-compliance with tenant duties under state law (e.g., causing a severe health/safety hazard).
• Expiration of the lease term (with notable exceptions for protected classes).

Protected Classes against No-Fault Eviction

Connecticut law prohibits landlords from evicting tenants simply because their lease expired ("lapse of time") if the tenant is 62 years of age or older, or if they have a recognized physical or mental disability. Landlords must have "Just Cause" (like non-payment or lease violations) to evict these protected individuals.

2. Serving the Notice

The first strict legal step is serving the tenant with a written notice.

The Notice to Quit (For Non-Payment or End of Term)

If evicting for non-payment of rent, the landlord must wait until the 9-day statutory grace period has expired (or 4 days for weekly rentals). Once the grace period has passed, the landlord must serve a 3-Day Notice to Quit Possession. The tenant then has three full clear days to vacate.

The Kapa Notice (For Lease Violations)

If a tenant violates a term of the lease (e.g., unauthorized pets, excessive noise), the landlord must issue a pre-eviction warning known as a Kapa Notice (Notice to Quit or Cure).

• The tenant is given 15 days to remedy (cure) the violation.
• If the tenant fixes the issue within 15 days, the eviction cannot proceed.
• If they do not, the landlord can then serve the standard 3-Day Notice to Quit.

3. Filing the Summons and Complaint

If the tenant remains in the property after the Notice to Quit expires, the landlord must file a Summons and Complaint with the local Housing Session of the Superior Court.

A state marshal or indifferent person must serve the Summons and Complaint to the tenant. The tenant is given a strict deadline (often just a few days) to file an "Appearance" with the court.

4. Default Judgments and Court Hearings

• If the tenant fails to file an Appearance: The landlord can file a Motion for Default Judgment. If granted, the landlord wins automatically.
• If the tenant files an Appearance and Answer: A mediation session with a Housing Specialist is usually scheduled. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a trial before a judge.

5. Execution of Eviction

If the judge rules in favor of the landlord (or grants a default judgment), the court will wait a mandatory 5-day stay of execution period to allow the tenant time to appeal. After 5 days, the landlord can apply for a Summary Process Execution. This document is given to a state marshal, who will give the tenant a final 24-hour warning before physically removing them and their belongings from the property under the supervision of the local municipality.

How Landager Helps Connecticut Landlords

Eviction in Connecticut fails most frequently due to timeline miscalculations. Landager ensures your compliance by accurately tracking the state-mandated 9-day rent grace period, preventing you from generating an illegal, premature 3-Day Notice to Quit. Our system securely stores date-stamped communication logs and ledger histories, ensuring you have flawless documentation ready for the Housing Court judge when filing for Summary Process.

Back to Connecticut Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.