Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-16
When landlord may enter rented unit.
Operative Text
(a) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed to repairs, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed to services or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen or contractors. (b) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. (c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of entry or use such right of entry to harass the tenant. The landlord shall give the tenant reasonable written or oral notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times, except in case of emergency. (d) A landlord may not enter the dwelling unit without the consent of the tenant except (1) in case of emergency, (2) as permitted by section 47a-16a, (3) pursuant to a court order, or (4) if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16, Connecticut law balances a landlord's need to access a rental unit with a tenant's right to privacy. Landlords are generally required to give reasonable written or oral notice before entering and may only do so at reasonable times, with emergency situations being the primary exception. Tenants, in turn, are not permitted to unreasonably withhold consent for legitimate entry purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or renters. Entry without consent is limited to emergencies, court orders, abandonment, or circumstances permitted under § 47a-16a.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16 outlines the conditions under which property owners and managers may lawfully enter an occupied unit. Compliant operators typically provide reasonable advance notice—written or oral—before entering for inspections, repairs, improvements, or showings, and they schedule entry during reasonable hours. Landlords who enter without notice outside of emergencies, or who use entry rights in a way that could be characterized as harassment, risk being found in violation of this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16 gives Connecticut tenants the right to expect advance notice before a landlord enters their home and to have that entry occur only at reasonable times. Tenants are protected against abusive or harassing use of entry rights, and a landlord's failure to follow these requirements may be raised as a violation in a legal proceeding. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with a legal aid office to understand available options, including filing a complaint or raising the violation as a defense.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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