Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-31
(Formerly Sec. 52-539). Illegal use of premises voids lease.
Operative Text
When the lessee or tenant of any house, room, tenement or dwelling unit is convicted of keeping a house of ill-fame therein, resorted to for the purpose of prostitution or lewdness, or of a violation therein of any law against gaming, the lease, contract or rental agreement for letting such house, room, tenement or dwelling unit shall thereupon be void; and the lessor may recover possession of the premises in the manner prescribed in this chapter, but notice to quit possession shall not be required.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-31, a residential lease or rental agreement automatically becomes void if a tenant is criminally convicted of operating a house of prostitution or lewdness, or of violating gaming laws, on the rented premises. Once that conviction occurs, the landlord gains the right to reclaim possession of the property through the legal process outlined in the same chapter. Notably, the law removes the usual requirement that the landlord first serve a notice to quit before pursuing eviction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-31 provides that a tenant's criminal conviction for prostitution, lewdness, or illegal gaming on the rental property renders the lease void by operation of law. Compliant property operators generally document the conviction and proceed directly to the statutory recovery-of-possession process without issuing a notice to quit, since the statute expressly waives that requirement. Maintaining records of any court proceedings related to the tenant's conviction can support a smooth transition through the legal process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-31 ties lease termination to an actual criminal conviction — not merely an arrest or allegation — for prostitution, lewdness, or gaming violations occurring on the rented premises. Tenants who believe this provision is being applied incorrectly or prematurely may have grounds to raise that issue as a defense in any eviction proceeding brought under this chapter. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Connecticut housing law can help a tenant understand what procedural protections may still apply.
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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