Evicting a bad tenant in Connecticut costs ~$8,975.
How Connecticut handles evictions
Summary process; tenant-friendly courts. A 9-day statutory grace period must lapse before the notice to quit, and a 5-day stay follows judgment.
The eviction process in Connecticut, step by step
Governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23 et seq. (ch. 832, Summary Process).
- 1
Grace period lapsesDays 0–9
For nonpayment, rent is not in default until 9 days after the due date (4 days week-to-week) (§ 47a-15a).
- 2
Notice to quit served+3 days
Served by a state marshal at least 3 days before the quit date (§ 47a-23).
- 3
Summary process complaint+3–9 days
Filed and served after the notice to quit expires; the complaint carries a return day (§ 47a-23a).
- 4
Appearance / defaultReturn day +2
Tenant must appear by the second day after the return day, or the landlord moves for default judgment.
- 5
Hearing and judgment~1–3 weeks
Contested cases get a hearing in the housing session; judgment for possession follows.
- 6
Stay of execution5 days
Mandatory 5-day stay after judgment (excluding Sundays/holidays); tenants may seek a discretionary hardship stay (§ 47a-35).
- 7
Execution and lockout+1–2 weeks
Only a state marshal may execute the eviction, after at least 24 hours' notice (§ 47a-42).
Connecticut court fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Summary process entry fee | $175 |
| State marshal service | $40 initial service; $50–$100 typical with mileage |
| Execution (possession) enforcement | Up to $50, plus up to $100/hour for property removal |
Required notice periods in Connecticut
Nonpayment of rent
9-day grace period, then 3-day notice to quit
Lease violation
15-day notice to remedy (curable breaches); serious violations skip the cure period
No cause / end of term
3-day notice to quit at lapse of time (good-cause protections apply to protected tenants)
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-15, 47a-15a, 47a-23
Most of that loss is preventable.
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Connecticut eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict someone in Connecticut?
Budget roughly $250–$350+: a $175 court entry fee (jud.ct.gov; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-259), about $40–$100 for a state marshal to serve the notice to quit and complaint (§ 52-261), and up to $50 (plus $100/hour for property removal) for the marshal to enforce the execution.
How long does an eviction take in Connecticut?
Commonly 4–8 weeks uncontested: a 9-day nonpayment grace period (§ 47a-15a), a 3-day notice to quit (§ 47a-23), then court process and a mandatory 5-day stay of execution after judgment (§ 47a-35) before the marshal's lockout.
What is the Connecticut eviction court filing fee?
$175 to file a summary process (eviction) case in the Superior Court housing session (jud.ct.gov court fees; § 52-259).
Who serves eviction papers in Connecticut and what does it cost?
A state marshal: about $40 for the initial service plus mileage, not more than $50 to serve the execution, plus up to $100/hour to remove property (§ 52-261).
Can I remove the tenant myself after winning in Connecticut?
No. Only a state marshal may execute the eviction, and only after the 5-day stay and 24-hour notice (§§ 47a-35, 47a-42). Self-help lockouts are illegal.
How much is the eviction filing fee in Connecticut?
$175, filed with the Housing Session (Superior Court). Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Connecticut?
Evictions in Connecticut are handled by the Housing Session (Superior Court).
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the Housing Session (Superior Court)'s published fee, last checked against the fee schedule on 2026-07-02. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,500) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Connecticut. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market. Primary statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23 et seq. (ch. 832, Summary Process).
- Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 832 (Summary Process)
- CT Judicial Branch: Court Fees
- CT Judicial Branch: A Landlord's Guide to Summary Process (PDF)
- State Marshal Commission Manual, civil process fees
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.