I am a landlord and want to evict my tenant. Am I still able to do this during the state’s COVID-19 response?

UPDATE FOR LANDLORDS AND RENTERS:On June 30, 2020, Governor Lamont extended protections for residential renters affected by COVID-19 under Executive Order 7DDD. 

That executive order extends the moratorium on residential evictions to August 25 for all renters who were current with rent payments as of February 29, 2020. 

A landlord may file a “Notice to Quit” on August 22, since Connecticut law stipulates that an eviction can proceed three days after a Notice to Quit is served. Notices to Quit for nonpayment of rent must specify the months of past-due rent.

Upon the July 1, 2020 expiration of the eviction moratorium issued under Executive order 7X, state law will allow eviction proceedings to begin against a tenant for nonpayment of rent due on or prior to February 29, 2020.  

However, landlords with federally-backed mortgages (which make up approximately 70% of U.S. mortgages) cannot serve a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent until July 25 or commence an eviction proceeding until 30 days after serving a notice to quit.

The court system is establishing its own rules for prioritizing cases in the interest of social distancing and public health.

Executive order 7DDD also extends the opportunity provided under Executive Order 7X for tenants to apply additional security deposit to rent upon request for rent due in April, May, June, July or August 2020.

You can apply the balance of any security deposit worth more than one month’s rent, including any interest that has accrued on your initial deposit.

Together with the provisions of 7DDD, the Governor announced new resources to assist tenants, homeowners, and residential property owners. 

Please visit the official guidance for more details.