Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-23a
Complaint.
Operative Text
(a) If, at the expiration of the three days prescribed in section 47a-23, the lessee or occupant neglects or refuses to quit possession or occupancy of the premises, any commissioner of the Superior Court may issue a writ, summons and complaint which shall be in the form and nature of an ordinary writ, summons and complaint in a civil process, but which shall set forth facts justifying a judgment for immediate possession or occupancy of the premises and make a claim for possession or occupancy of the premises. If the claim is for the possession or occupancy of nonresidential property, the writ, summons and complaint shall also make a claim for the forfeiture to the plaintiff of the possessions and personal effects of the defendant in accordance with section 47a-42a. If the plaintiff has properly issued a notice to quit possession to an occupant by alias, if permitted to do so by section 47a-23, and has no further identifying information at the time of service of the writ, summons and complaint, such writ, summons and complaint may also name and serve such occupant or occupants as defendants. In any case in which service is to be made upon an occupant or occupants identified by alias, the complaint shall contain an allegation that the plaintiff does not know the name of such occupant or occupants. Such complaint shall be returnable to the Superior Court. Such complaint may be made returnable six days, inclusive, after service upon the defendant and shall be returned to court at least three days before the return day. Such complaint may be served on any day of the week. (b) Venue for actions brought pursuant to this chapter shall be the geographical area, established pursuant to section 51-348, where the defendant resides or where the leased premises or trailer are located at the plaintiff's election or, in the case of a defendant corporation or domestic corporation, where the defendant has an office or place of business. If the defendant is a nonresident, venue shall be the geographical area, established pursuant to section 51-348, where the plaintiff resides or where the land lies at the plaintiff's election.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23a, once the three-day notice period established by § 47a-23 has passed without the occupant vacating, a Superior Court commissioner may issue a formal writ, summons, and complaint to begin eviction proceedings. The complaint must state the facts supporting a claim for immediate possession and, for nonresidential property, may also seek forfeiture of the occupant's possessions under § 47a-42a. The complaint can be served any day of the week, must be returnable to Superior Court within six days of service, and venue is generally set in the geographic area where the property is located or where the defendant resides.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers pursuing eviction under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23a typically work with a Superior Court commissioner to prepare a writ, summons, and complaint after the three-day notice period has elapsed without the tenant vacating. Compliant operators ensure the complaint clearly states the factual basis for immediate possession and, for nonresidential properties, includes any applicable forfeiture claim under § 47a-42a. Operators also confirm that the complaint is filed in the correct geographic venue—generally where the leased premises are located—and that it is returned to court at least three days before the return day.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23a governs the formal court process a landlord must follow after the three-day notice period expires, including obtaining a writ, summons, and complaint from a Superior Court commissioner before eviction proceedings can advance. Tenants who receive such a complaint have the right to appear in Superior Court and raise any applicable defenses, such as improper notice or procedural errors in the complaint itself. Tenants facing this process may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available under § 47a-23a.
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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