Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-23b
Service of notice to quit or summons if lessee a nonresident or if whereabouts unknown.
Operative Text
(a) If the lessee or occupant of such land, building, apartment or dwelling unit or of any trailer, or any land upon which a trailer is used or stands, is a nonresident of this state at the time when it is desired to give him notice to quit possession or occupancy of such premises, or at the time of the issuance of the summons, such notice to quit, or such summons, may be served upon the person in charge thereof; or, if no person is in charge of such premises, the notice to quit may be served upon such lessee or occupant in the manner provided by section 52-57 or 52-57a, at least ten days before the time specified in such notice, and such summons may be served in like manner, except that such copy shall be mailed at least six days before the return day thereof. (b) If such lessee or occupant has gone to parts unknown, the notice to quit may be served upon such lessee or occupant by advertising such notice to quit at least twice in a paper published in the county and having a circulation in the town in which such premises are located. Such notice shall be first advertised at least ten days before the time specified in the notice for the lessee or occupant to quit possession. Such summons may be served in like manner, except that notice of the pendency of such summons shall be first advertised at least six days before the return day thereof.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23b establishes how a notice to quit or court summons may be legally delivered when a tenant lives out of state or cannot be located. If the tenant is a nonresident, service may be made on whoever is in charge of the premises, or by mail under the methods described in related statutes, with specific minimum lead times before the notice date or court return day. If the tenant's whereabouts are entirely unknown, the law permits service by publishing the notice in a county newspaper at least twice, again within defined time windows before the relevant deadline.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers dealing with a nonresident or missing tenant should be aware that Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23b provides alternative service methods that courts will recognize as legally valid. Compliant operators typically document their efforts to locate the tenant, identify whether someone is in charge of the premises, and carefully observe the statutory timing requirements—at least ten days before the quit date for a notice to quit, and at least six days before the return day for a summons. When newspaper publication is required because the tenant's whereabouts are unknown, operators generally retain proof of both publications and confirm the paper meets the county-circulation requirement spelled out in § 47a-23b.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-23b governs how landlords may serve eviction-related notices on tenants who are out of state or whose location is unknown, meaning a tenant may receive legally valid service through a third party at the property, by mail, or even through a newspaper advertisement. Tenants who believe service was not carried out in accordance with the timing or method requirements of § 47a-23b may have grounds to raise that issue in an eviction proceeding. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help a tenant understand whether the service they received complied with this provision's requirements.
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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