Can a domestic violence victim end a lease early in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, a tenant who is a victim of family violence or sexual assault and reasonably fears imminent harm may end the lease without penalty for the remaining term by giving the landlord written notice at least thirty days before the termination date. The notice must include a statement under oath or affirmation that the tenant or a dependent is a victim, the intended termination date, and that the tenant has vacated or will vacate and remove all belongings, together with a police or court record dated not more than ninety days before the notice or a signed statement from the Office of Victim Services or the Office of Victim Advocate dated not more than thirty days before the notice. The tenant still owes any rent arrearage incurred before termination and any property damage the tenant caused, and any other tenant stays liable under the rental agreement. The family-violence right applies to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2011, and the sexual-assault right to those entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2014. This is Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e.
| What | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Ending the lease early | 30 days’ notice with a police, court or advocate record |
What the statute says
“… may terminate his or her rental agreement with the landlord for the dwelling unit that the tenant occupies without penalty or liability for the remaining term of the rental agreement by giving written notice to the landlord at least thirty days prior …”
Quoted word for word from the section’s text.
Source
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e
Read the statute in the Connecticut General Statutes (Connecticut General Assembly): cga.ct.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 15, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora keeps every lease’s term, rent and signers in one record and dates every change to it. This page states the state’s rule so a lease’s own early-termination and sublet clauses can be checked against it before the lease is signed.
Guides on this rule
- Breaking a Lease for Domestic Violence: Laws by State — How a domestic violence victim can end a lease early, with the notice, documents and rent rule in each of the 39 jurisdictions with a statute.
Compare this rule in every state
More Connecticut rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Connecticut?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Connecticut?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Connecticut?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Connecticut?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Connecticut?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Connecticut?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in Connecticut?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Connecticut?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Connecticut?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Connecticut?
- What are squatters’ rights in Connecticut?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Connecticut?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in Connecticut?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Connecticut?
- Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Connecticut?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in Connecticut?
- What can a landlord do with a tenant’s belongings left behind in Connecticut?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in Connecticut?
- Do you need a general contractor license in Connecticut?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in Connecticut?
- Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Connecticut?
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license or registration in Connecticut?
- How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in Connecticut?
- What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Connecticut?
- Does a home seller have to disclose the property’s condition in Connecticut?
- What is the real estate transfer tax in Connecticut?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Connecticut?
- Is appliance repair taxable in Connecticut?
- Is contractor labor taxable in Connecticut?
- Every Connecticut rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana