Connecticut Eviction Laws
Connecticut rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23
The rules in Connecticut
| Notice for unpaid rent | Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Online-payment extension added by Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1. 3-day notice to quit rule is in § 47a-23 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_832.htm). Since Oct. 1, 2021 a plain-language right-to-counsel notice must be attached to the notice to quit (§ 47a-75(f)(2)). |
|---|---|
| Notice for lease violations | Written notice specifying the breach and terminating the lease on a date at least 15 days after receipt; if the breach can be fixed by repair or paying damages and the tenant does so within 15 days, the lease does not terminate. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination without another cure chance. No cure notice is required for nonpayment, serious nuisance, or a § 47a-11(h) violation. After this 'Kapa' notice, landlord still serves a Notice to Quit (§ 47a-23). Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15 |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. § 53a-214 text verified at https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_952.htm (P.A. 25-44 amended it, extending it to nonresidential lessees). § 53a-214 itself does not mention utilities. |
How an eviction case works in Connecticut
Eviction cases are heard in: Superior Court (Housing Session in Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Stamford-Norwalk; otherwise the geographical area court).
- Notice to Quit on the statutory form, served by a state marshal or indifferent person, at least 3 days before the quit date (after the 9-day grace period for nonpayment; after a 15-day cure notice for most lease violations), with the right-to-counsel notice attached
- If tenant stays, writ, summons and complaint served; return day up to 6 days after service
- Tenant files an Appearance within 2 days after the return day; housing mediation, then trial
- Judgment for possession (default judgment if no appearance)
- Automatic 5-day stay of execution (excluding Sundays and legal holidays); tenant may apply for a stay of up to 6 months (3 months for nonpayment, only on depositing the full arrearage)
- Summary process execution; state marshal gives at least 24 hours' notice and removes the tenant; possessions go to town storage (auction after 15 days)
Landlords: how to evict a tenant in Connecticut — steps, costs, timeline and forms.
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Related questions
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
Connecticut vs. neighboring states
| State | Notice for unpaid rent | Notice for lease violations | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23 | Written notice specifying the breach and terminating the lease on a date at least 15 days after receipt; if the breach can be fixed by repair or paying damages and the tenant does so within 15 days, the lease does not terminate. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination without another cure chance. No cure notice is required for nonpayment, serious nuisance, or a § 47a-11(h) violation. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15 | Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-43, 47a-46, 53a-214, 47a-13 |
| Massachusetts | 14 days' written notice to quit. For tenants at will: a tenant who has not received a similar notice in the previous 12 months can cure by paying the full rent due within 10 days after receiving the notice, and the notice must state this right. For tenants with a lease: the tenant can cure by paying all rent due, plus interest and costs, on or before the day the answer is due in the eviction case. G.L. c. 186, §§ 11, 12, 31 | No single statutory period. Tenancy at will: the landlord generally ends it with a written notice to quit of at least 30 days (or one rental period, if longer) that expires at the end of a rental period, stating the lease violation as the reason. Unexpired lease: the lease itself controls the grounds for termination and the notice required. G.L. c. 186, § 12; Massachusetts Court System guidance | Illegal. A landlord who willfully fails to provide required utilities or services (heat, hot water, water, light, power, gas, elevator); interferes with them; shifts utility costs to the tenant without consent; interferes with quiet enjoyment; or tries to regain possession by force without court process faces: a criminal fine of $25-$300 or up to 6 months' imprisonment; and civil liability for actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney's fees. A tenant removed or excluded without a valid court order may get back into the unit or end the lease, and may recover 3 months' rent or 3x actual damages, plus costs and attorney's fees. G.L. c. 186, §§ 14, 15F |
| New York | 14-day written rent demand before filing a nonpayment proceeding. Separately, if rent is not received within 5 days of the due date, the landlord must send the tenant a certified-mail notice that rent was not received; failure is an affirmative defense to a nonpayment case. N.Y. RPAPL § 711(2); N.Y. RPL § 235-e(d) | No general statewide statutory cure-notice period (lease terms govern). Where Good Cause Eviction applies, the tenant must be given written notice and 10 days to cure a substantial lease violation before eviction on that ground. In any lease-breach eviction case, the court must grant a 30-day stay of the warrant during which the tenant may cure. N.Y. RPL § 216 (Good Cause); N.Y. RPAPL § 753(4) | Self-help eviction is illegal: no force/threats, cutting off essential services, removing belongings or the door, or changing/disabling locks to remove an occupant who has lived there 30+ days or has a lease. Owner must restore the occupant. Penalties: class A misdemeanor; civil penalty of $1,000-$10,000 per violation plus up to $100/day (max 6 months) for failing to restore. N.Y. RPAPL § 768; RPL § 235 (willful failure to furnish water, heat, light, power, etc.) |
| Rhode Island | Once rent is 15 days in arrears, landlord may mail a written demand; tenant has 5 days from mailing to pay or the rental agreement terminates. Landlord may file no earlier than the 6th day after mailing. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35 | Written notice identifying the breach and the remedy, giving 20 days from mailing to cure and a termination date at least 21 days after mailing. Repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months: at least 20 days' notice with no right to cure. No notice needed for violations of § 34-18-24(8)-(10). R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36 | Self-help eviction prohibited, including cutting heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services. Tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of up to 3 months' periodic rent or three times actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-44, 34-18-34 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Connecticut Eviction Laws FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Connecticut?
Rent is not 'unpaid' for eviction purposes until a 9-day grace period passes (4 days for week-to-week). Landlord then serves a written Notice to Quit giving at least 3 days before the quit date. From Jan. 1, 2026, the grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15a(a), 47a-23)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Connecticut?
Written notice specifying the breach and terminating the lease on a date at least 15 days after receipt; if the breach can be fixed by repair or paying damages and the tenant does so within 15 days, the lease does not terminate. A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months allows termination without another cure chance. No cure notice is required for nonpayment, serious nuisance, or a § 47a-11(h) violation. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15)
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Connecticut?
Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-43, 47a-46, 53a-214, 47a-13)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.