Partial Rent Payments and Eviction Rules in Connecticut

Many renters in Connecticut worry about eviction if they can’t pay full rent. Understanding how partial rent payments impact your eviction risk is important for protecting your rights and securing your housing. This guide uses Connecticut’s most current tenancy laws to explain how accepting or making partial rent payments affects both landlords and renters.

What Is a Partial Rent Payment?

A partial rent payment means paying less than the full amount of rent due for a given month. This can happen for many reasons, such as unexpected expenses or changes in income. But it’s important to know how landlords in Connecticut may respond and what the law says.

How Do Partial Rent Payments Affect Eviction?

In Connecticut, landlords do not have to accept partial rent. If your lease requires full payment by a certain date, paying only part of the rent may still put you at risk of eviction. However, landlords may sometimes accept a partial payment. The way they handle your payment impacts what happens next:

• If a landlord accepts a partial payment but does not provide specific written notice that they still intend to begin or continue eviction, they may lose the right to evict you for nonpayment that month.
• If a landlord accepts partial payment and gives you a written notice (within 2 business days of accepting the money) that they are preserving their right to pursue eviction, they may legally continue the eviction process.

These rules are outlined in the Connecticut General Statutes §47a - Landlord and Tenant^[1].

Required Notice When Accepting Partial Payment

If your landlord provides a written notice after accepting partial rent, it protects their right to continue with eviction proceedings. The law is very specific: they must give you this notice in person or by mail within 2 business days. Otherwise, accepting the payment may be considered “waiving” the right to evict for that month.

Eviction Process Basics in Connecticut

The official process must follow specific legal steps:

• You must receive a "Notice to Quit" if your landlord seeks eviction. For nonpayment, it's usually a 3-day notice.
• The landlord must then file a summary process complaint in the Connecticut Superior Court's Housing Session if you do not move out after the notice period.
• The court will schedule a hearing, where you can present your case.

See the full eviction process and tenant guidance at the Connecticut Judicial Branch Housing Session FAQ.^[2]

Key Official Forms for Connecticut Renters

If you’re facing eviction, you may receive or need to use some of these official forms:

• Notice to Quit (Connecticut Superior Court JD-HM-7) — Used by the landlord to officially start the eviction process, often after late or partial rent.
  Practical example: You receive this if your landlord seeks to evict you for unpaid or partially paid rent.
  Download Notice to Quit JD-HM-7
• Summary Process (Eviction) Complaint (JD-HM-8) — Filed by the landlord with the court if you have not left by the "Quit" date.
  Example: You might see this after not responding to a Notice to Quit.
  Download Eviction Complaint JD-HM-8
• Tenant’s Answer to Summary Process Complaint (JD-HM-5) — Allows you, as a renter, to respond to the landlord’s complaint in court.
  When to use: After being served a summary process complaint, you must file this form to present your defenses, such as proving your landlord accepted a partial payment without proper notice.
  Download Tenant’s Answer JD-HM-5

The Tribunal for Residential Tenancy Matters

Eviction and rental disputes in Connecticut are managed by the Connecticut Superior Court – Housing Session. Find contact info and answers at the official Housing Session FAQ page.

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Connecticut Renter

Connecticut law requires renters to pay full rent according to their lease, but also puts limits on how and when a landlord may evict. If you pay partial rent, keep receipts for all payments and any written notices received. Always check if your landlord followed the legal requirements around giving proper notice after partial payments.

Action Steps if You’ve Paid Partial Rent

• Ask for a written receipt whenever you make a payment, partial or full.
• Look out for any follow-up written notice from your landlord within 2 business days.
• If you receive a Notice to Quit or court documents, respond using the official Tenant’s Answer form.
• Seek legal assistance if you need help responding or understanding your rights.

Taking these steps protects your record and can help prevent unlawful eviction.

FAQ: Connecticut Partial Rent Payments and Eviction

1. Can my landlord refuse to accept a partial rent payment in Connecticut?
   Yes, landlords are not obligated to accept less than the full rent due. It is up to the landlord whether to accept a partial payment.
2. If I pay part of my rent, can I still be evicted?
   Yes, unless your landlord fails to give you a written notice within 2 business days of accepting your partial payment that they will continue with eviction.
3. What happens if my landlord takes my partial payment with no notice?
   If your landlord accepts your partial rent payment and does not give you written notice within 2 business days, they may lose the right to evict you for that month’s nonpayment.
4. How do I respond to an eviction notice?
   Use the Tenant’s Answer to Summary Process Complaint (JD-HM-5) form to file a response with the court. This helps present your defenses, including issues regarding partial rent.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Connecticut Judicial Branch Housing Session FAQ – Official info on landlord-tenant rules and court process
• Connecticut Department of Housing – Housing help, resources, and programs for tenants
• Connecticut Fair Housing Center – Free legal information, support, and referrals for renters

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1. Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 832 – Landlord and Tenant
2. Connecticut Judicial Branch: Housing Session FAQ

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