In special detainer actions, how is the tenant deemed to have received the summons?

In special detainer actions, the process for serving summons to tenants includes specific protocols that govern how and when a tenant is considered to have received the summons. The correct method is that a tenant is deemed to have received the summons three days after a copy has been mailed to them and also posted at their residence. This provides an important safeguard for tenants to ensure they are informed of the legal proceedings against them while also allowing landlords the ability to proceed with actions if the tenants avoid personal service.

This method of service acknowledges that in some situations, especially with difficult-to-locate tenants, personal delivery may not be feasible. The three-day waiting period after mailing ensures that tenants have a reasonable opportunity to respond, reflecting a balance of fairness between landlords’ needs to enforce their property rights and tenants’ rights to be notified of legal actions that could affect their housing.