Connecticut Eviction Notice
A Connecticut eviction notice is a formal document used by landlords to inform tenants of their lease violations and the potential consequences if they do not comply with the terms of their rental agreement. This notice outlines the specific breach, provides a remedy period, and details the actions that may be taken if the tenant fails to rectify the situation.
Connecticut Eviction Notice
Types of Connecticut Eviction Notice Forms
Connecticut law recognizes several types of eviction notices, each with specific grounds and timelines:
3-Day Notice to Quit
- Grounds: Nonpayment of rent.
- Details: Rent is considered late if not paid within nine calendar days of the due date (four days for week-to-week tenancies). The tenant must pay all past due rent or vacate within three calendar days of receiving the notice. This notice must be delivered by a state marshal or proper officer.
15-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate
- Grounds: Lease violation (e.g., property damage, health and safety violations).
- Details: The tenant must correct the violation or vacate within fifteen calendar days of receiving the notice.
3-Day Notice to Vacate
- Grounds: Incurable lease violation (e.g., illegal activity, repeat lease violation).
- Details: The tenant must vacate within three calendar days of receiving the notice. This notice must also be delivered by a state marshal or proper officer.
30-Day Notice to Vacate
- Grounds: Termination of tenancy (month-to-month or expired lease).
- Details: The tenant must receive notice at least thirty calendar days before the termination date.
Eviction Laws & Requirements
Landlords in Connecticut must adhere to specific legal requirements when issuing eviction notices. These include:
- Grace Period for Late Rent: Tenants have a nine-day grace period for standard tenancies and four days for week-to-week tenancies before a landlord can terminate the rental agreement or charge a late fee.
- Notice of Non-Payment of Rent: A three-day notice is required for non-payment.
- Notice of Non-Compliance: A fifteen-day notice is required for lease violations.
- Illegal Conduct or Serious Nuisance: No notice is required for serious violations.
How to Evict a Tenant in Connecticut
The eviction process in Connecticut involves several steps:
-
Serve Notice: The landlord must serve the tenant an eviction notice stating the reasons for eviction. This can be done through personal service, mail, or a process server.
-
File Eviction: If the tenant does not respond or vacate within the notice period, the landlord may file a summons and complaint with the Superior Court.
-
Issue Summons and Complaint: The court will set a hearing date and issue the summons and complaint to be served on the tenant.
-
Tenant Answers or Defaults: The tenant must file an appearance and a written answer within the timeframe indicated on the summons. Failure to respond allows the landlord to file a default motion for judgment.
-
Court Sets Trial Date: If the tenant contests the eviction, a trial date is set, typically within 7 to 10 days after the answer is filed.
-
Court Issues Judgment: If the landlord wins, a judgment is entered, and the landlord can request an execution order to remove the tenant.
-
Tenant Appeals or Moves Out: The tenant has five days to file an appeal after the judgment. During this time, the landlord cannot execute the judgment.
How to Write an Eviction Notice in Connecticut
Connecticut eviction notices must include specific language and information, including:
- Notice of intent to quit possession.
- Address of the rental property.
- Reason for the notice.
- Date by which the tenant must vacate.
All notices must also inform tenants of their rights, including the availability of free legal counsel.
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Connecticut
Landlords must serve the eviction notice in a legally acceptable manner, which can include:
- Personal delivery.
- Certified mail.
- Delivery by a process server.
The serving party must document the delivery, often referred to as a Return of Service. It is important to note that landlords cannot forcibly evict tenants without following the legal process. The notice period begins the day after the notice is served, and if the last day of the notice period falls on a weekend or holiday, it extends to the next judicial day.
Statutes
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b)(1) and (2) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(h) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(i) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(13) and (d) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) and (j) and (k) – Security deposits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3a(a) and (b) – Rental agreement: Payment of rent. Written receipt for cash payment
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15 – Noncompliance by tenant. Remedy of breach by tenant. Landlord’s remedies
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a – Nonpayment of rent by tenant: Landlord’s remedy. Charges for late rent
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-14h – Action by individual tenant to enforce landlord’s responsibilities. Payment of rent into court
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-18 – Judicial relief if tenant refuses entry
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11a – Abandonment of unit by tenant
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23 (Formerly Sec. 52-532) – Notice to quit possession or occupancy of premises. Form. Delivery. Federal termination notice
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(a) – When landlord may enter rented unit
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(b) – When landlord may enter rented unit
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(c) – When landlord may enter rented unit
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16a – Notification by tenant of extended absence. When landlord may enter
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-13 – Failure of landlord to supply essential services. Tenant’s remedies
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-6 – Identification of landlord
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e – Termination of rental agreement by tenant who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7(a) – Landlord’s responsibilities
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11 – Tenant’s responsibilities
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20 – (Formerly Sec. 19-375a). Retaliatory action by landlord prohibited
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-33 – (Formerly Sec. 52-540a). Defense that action is retaliatory
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4 – Terms prohibited in rental agreement
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4a – Effect of failure to comply with section 47a-7
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4c – Landlord prohibited from requiring electronic funds transfer as exclusive form of payment
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-4d – Fees for tenant screening reports
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-565a – Liability of drawer for dishonored check. Service charge on drawer for dishonored check
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 – Actions for account or on simple or implied contracts
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-581 – Action on oral contract to be brought within three years
FAQs
A Connecticut eviction notice is a legal document used by landlords to inform tenants of lease violations or non-payment of rent. It specifies the breach, outlines a remedy period, and details the consequences if the tenant does not comply. Common situations for issuing an eviction notice include unpaid rent, lease violations, or illegal activities on the property.
In Connecticut, there are several types of eviction notices: a 3-Day Notice to Quit for non-payment of rent, a 15-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate for lease violations, a 3-Day Notice to Vacate for incurable violations, and a 30-Day Notice to Vacate for terminating month-to-month tenancies. Each notice has specific requirements and timelines based on the reason for eviction.
The response time for a tenant in Connecticut depends on the type of eviction notice served. For a 3-Day Notice to Quit, the tenant must pay rent or vacate within three days. For a 15-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate, the tenant has 15 days to correct the lease violation. If the tenant does not respond within these timeframes, the landlord can proceed with legal action.
After serving an eviction notice, if the tenant does not comply, the landlord can file a summons and complaint with the Superior Court. The landlord must then attend a court hearing where the judge will decide the outcome. If the landlord wins, they can request a Writ of Possession to remove the tenant from the property.
No, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without providing a proper eviction notice in Connecticut. The law requires landlords to give tenants a specified notice period based on the reason for eviction, such as three days for non-payment of rent or fifteen days for lease violations. Failure to provide the required notice can result in delays or dismissal of the eviction process.
In Connecticut, eviction notices must be served by a state marshal or an authorized process server. The notice must clearly state the reason for eviction and the time frame the tenant has to respond. Additionally, all eviction notices must include information about tenant rights, including the possibility of obtaining free legal counsel.
If a tenant does not vacate the property after the eviction notice period expires, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit, known as a Summary Process, in the local court. The court will schedule a hearing, and if the landlord prevails, they can obtain a Writ of Possession to have the tenant forcibly removed by law enforcement.
In Connecticut, tenants have a grace period of nine days after the rent due date to make their payment. For week-to-week tenancies, the grace period is four days. A landlord cannot charge a late fee or terminate the rental agreement until after this grace period has expired.