Kan. Stat. Ann. § 61-3806
Appearance; answer.
Operative Text
(a) A defendant shall either appear in person or by counsel at the time and date set forth in the summons or file on or before such date a written answer. (b) The answer, when filed, shall contain the information as required under K.S.A. 61-2904(b), and amendments thereto. (c) In an action in which the underlying rental agreement is governed by K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq., and amendments thereto, the court shall consider mediation unless the court finds that mediation would not aid the parties materially or is impracticable.
Kansas Statutes §§ 61-3801 through 61-3806 govern how a defendant must respond to a summons in a residential eviction or rental-related court action. A defendant is required to either appear in person or through an attorney by the date listed on the summons, or submit a written answer by that date containing the information specified under K.S.A. 61-2904(b). When the underlying rental agreement falls under the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq.), the court is directed to consider ordering mediation unless it would not meaningfully help the parties or is otherwise impractical.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under §§ 61-3801 through 61-3806, landlords initiating a court action should be aware that the defendant has a right to appear, send counsel, or file a written answer by the summons date, and that the court may introduce a mediation step when the tenancy is governed by the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Operators who maintain clear documentation of the rental agreement and any relevant communications are generally better positioned to participate constructively in any court-ordered mediation. Understanding that mediation is a potential stage in the process can help property managers plan their timelines and prepare relevant records in advance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under §§ 61-3801 through 61-3806, a tenant who receives a summons has the right to respond either by appearing in court on the specified date, sending an attorney in their place, or filing a written answer that meets the requirements of K.S.A. 61-2904(b) by that date. Failing to respond by the deadline can have significant consequences, so tenants generally benefit from acting promptly and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Kansas law. If the rental agreement is covered by the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the court is required to consider mediation as part of the process, which may provide an additional opportunity for the parties to reach a resolution.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 27, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
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