By Angel Campa, Founder · Updated March 2026
Connecticut is a moderately tenant-protective commercial leasing jurisdiction, reflecting the state's broader regulatory philosophy. Commercial tenancies are excluded from the Connecticut Landlord-Tenant Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 830), which applies only to residential properties. Commercial lease relationships in Connecticut are governed by common law contract principles, the general property statutes, and the negotiated lease document, with the state's courts applying a consistent body of commercial real estate case law.
Connecticut prohibits commercial self-help evictions. Landlords must use the Summary Process (eviction) procedure under Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 833 to recover possession. Connecticut does not impose a commercial rent tax at the state or Hartford/New Haven level. The state's courts have historically shown willingness to apply equitable doctrines to commercial lease disputes in ways that can benefit commercial tenants facing particularly harsh or one-sided lease provisions.
Establishes the exclusive judicial procedure for commercial evictions in Connecticut, requiring mandatory written notice before a landlord may file a Summary Process action.
View statute →Specifies the notice to quit requirements applicable to commercial tenancies before a landlord may commence a Summary Process action for possession.
View statute →Applies only to residential dwelling units and explicitly excludes commercial tenancies, confirming that commercial leases in Connecticut operate under common law principles.
View statute →| Type | Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment of Rent | 3 days | Under Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 47a-23, a commercial landlord must serve a 3-day Notice to Quit for nonpayment of rent before filing a Summary Process action in Connecticut Housing Court. |
| Lease Violation (Non-Monetary) | 15 days | For material non-monetary lease violations, Connecticut requires a 15-day Notice to Quit before the landlord may commence Summary Process eviction proceedings. |
| Month-to-Month Termination | 3 days (notice to quit) | Connecticut's Notice to Quit procedure applies to month-to-month tenancy terminations. After the notice period, the landlord must obtain a court order through Summary Process rather than proceeding by self-help. |
No statutory audit rights; all audit provisions must be negotiated in the lease.
Connecticut provides no statutory mechanism granting commercial tenants the right to audit landlord operating expenses or CAM charges. All audit rights — including the look-back period, auditor qualifications, cost allocation, and the landlord's record retention obligations — must be expressly negotiated and documented in the lease. Connecticut's courts have demonstrated willingness to apply equitable doctrines in commercial lease disputes, which may provide some practical support for tenants challenging materially inaccurate expense reconciliations even absent an explicit audit clause.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about commercial landlord-tenant law in Connecticut. It is not legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional requirements. Consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut for guidance specific to your situation.
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