Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-26a
Failure to plead. Judgment.
Operative Text
If the defendant appears but does not plead within two days after the return day, the complainant may file a motion for judgment for failure to plead, served upon the defendant in the manner provided in the rules adopted by the judges of the Superior Court for the service of pleadings. If the defendant fails to plead within three days after receipt of such motion by the clerk, the court shall forthwith enter judgment that the complainant recover possession or occupancy with his costs.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26a, when a defendant in a summary process (eviction) case appears in court but does not file a pleading within two days of the return day, the complainant may file a motion for judgment based on that failure to plead. If the defendant then fails to respond within three days of the clerk receiving that motion, the court is required to immediately enter a judgment awarding the complainant possession of the property along with costs. This provision establishes a strict, time-sensitive procedural sequence that can result in a default-style judgment without a full hearing on the merits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26a gives property owners or managers a procedural tool when a tenant appears in a summary process action but does not file a pleading on time. A compliant operator generally tracks the return day carefully, and if no pleading is filed within two days, prepares and serves a motion for judgment for failure to plead in accordance with Superior Court rules. If the defendant still does not plead within three days of the clerk's receipt of that motion, the court must enter judgment for possession and costs without further delay.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-26a sets very short deadlines in Connecticut eviction proceedings: a tenant who appears in court must file a pleading within two days of the return day, or risk the landlord filing a motion for judgment. If that motion is filed and the tenant does not plead within three days of the clerk receiving it, the court is required to enter a judgment for possession against the tenant. Tenants facing a summary process action may want to contact a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider promptly to understand these deadlines and available options, such as raising defenses or filing the appropriate pleadings in time.
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.
Effective Timeline
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