What we verified in “Illegal lockouts and utility shutoffs by a landlord”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, your landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks without a court order, fail to pay for utilities under their control or endanger tenants' health and safety; to talk with a lawyer it points to your local bar association or legal aid, and says you could qualify for free legal aid.

   Sources 1 · Your tenant and debt collection rights (page last modified Feb. 20, 2026): 'Force you out by changing your locks without a court order'; 'Fail to pay for utilities under their control'; 'Endanger the health and safety of tenants'; 'To talk with a lawyer, contact your local bar association or legal aid'; 'You can get legal help too, and you could qualify for free legal aid' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The California Attorney General says it is illegal to try to 'evict' a tenant by locking them out, shutting off the water or electricity or removing their personal property; that the only lawful way to evict is to file a case in court and go through the legal process; and that a tenant who has been locked out should consult about their rights, including returning to the unit and getting damages from the landlord.

   Sources 4 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Lockouts' (Civ. Code §789.3): 'It is illegal to try to'; 'a tenant by locking them out, shutting off the water or electricity, or removing their personal property'; 'The only lawful way to evict a tenant is to file a case in court and go through the legal process'; 'A tenant who has been locked out should consult a lawyer about their rights, including returning to their unit and getting damages from the landlord' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The California Attorney General says landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant's or occupant's immigration status to pressure them to move out, or to harass or retaliate against a tenant by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement.

   Sources 4 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Discrimination': 'Landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant or occupant’s immigration status in order to pressure a tenant to move out'; 'Landlords are also never allowed to harass or retaliate against a tenant by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. The New York Attorney General's guide says a tenant can be legally evicted only after a court case and a judgment of possession, and only a sheriff, marshal or constable can carry out the warrant; that landlords may not take the law into their own hands: they cannot use threats of violence, remove a tenant's possessions, lock the tenant out or willfully cut off essential services such as water or heat; that a tenant evicted unlawfully can recover triple damages; that the landlord may face criminal and civil penalties; and that the tenant may be entitled to be restored to occupancy.

   Sources 5 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Tenant Protections During Eviction' (RPAPL 768, RPAPL §853): 'A tenant can be legally evicted only after the landlord has brought a court proceeding and has obtained a judgment of possession'; 'only a sheriff, marshal, or constable can carry out a court ordered warrant to evict a tenant'; 'Landlords may not take the law into their own hands and evict a tenant by use of force or unlawful means'; 'a landlord cannot use threats of violence, remove a tenant’s possessions, lock the tenant out of the apartment, or willfully discontinue essential services such as water or heat'; 'can recover triple damages in a legal action against the landlord'; 'subject to both criminal and civil penalties'; 'the tenant may be entitled to be restored to occupancy' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. According to the New York Attorney General, when the landlord of a multiple dwelling falls behind on utility bills, the utility must give tenants advance written notice before shutting service off; service may not be cut if tenants pay the landlord's current bill directly to the utility, and they can deduct that payment from future rent; the Public Service Commission can help.

   Sources 5 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Continuation of Utility Service' (Real Property Law §235-a; Public Service Law §33): 'When the landlord of a multiple dwelling is delinquent in paying utility bills, the utility must give advanced written notice to tenants'; 'Service may not be discontinued if tenants pay the landlord’s current bill directly to the utility company'; 'Tenants can deduct these charges from future rent payments'; 'The Public Service Commission can assist tenants with related problems' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. Under the Texas Property Code, a landlord may not intentionally keep a tenant out of the home except by judicial process, with exceptions such as repairs or emergencies and changing the locks of a tenant who is behind on rent; for that lock change, the right must be in the lease and the landlord must give written notice in advance (mailed locally no later than the fifth calendar day before, or hand-delivered or posted inside the main door no later than the third calendar day before); must leave a notice on the door with a location or a phone number answered 24 hours a day where the tenant can get the new key, delivered within two hours of calling; must give the new key whether or not the tenant pays the rent owed; and may not change the locks while the tenant or another lawful occupant is inside.

   Sources 6 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.0081(b)–(k): 'A landlord may not intentionally prevent a tenant from entering the leased premises except by judicial process unless the exclusion results from'; 'changing the door locks on the door to the tenant's individual unit of a tenant who is delinquent in paying at least part of the rent'; 'the landlord's right to change the locks because of a tenant's failure to timely pay rent is placed in the lease'; 'not later than the fifth calendar day before the date on which the door locks are changed'; 'not later than the third calendar day before the date on which the door locks are changed'; 'a telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day that the tenant may call to have a key delivered within two hours after calling the number'; 'must provide the tenant with a key to the changed lock on the dwelling without regard to whether the tenant pays the delinquent rent'; 'when the tenant or any other legal occupant is in the dwelling' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. In Texas, if a landlord violates the lock-change rule, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease, and recover a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $1,000, actual damages, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, minus rent owed; a lease clause waiving this is void; and the tenant can file a sworn complaint for reentry with the justice court in their precinct, and the judge may issue a writ of reentry giving the tenant immediate and temporary possession.

   Sources 6 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.0081(h) and (j): 'either recover possession of the premises or terminate the lease'; 'a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $1,000, actual damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees'; 'A provision of a lease that purports to waive a right or to exempt a party from a liability or duty under this section is void'; §92.009(b)–(c): 'The tenant must file with the justice court in the precinct in which the rental premises are located a sworn complaint for reentry'; 'a writ of reentry that entitles the tenant to immediate and temporary possession of the premises' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. In Texas, a landlord may not interrupt or cause the interruption of a utility the tenant pays directly to the utility company, or of water, wastewater, gas or electricity the landlord furnishes with the tenancy, except for bona fide repairs, construction or an emergency; if the landlord does, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees and costs, minus what the tenant owes; the law has a separate exception, with its own rules, for a landlord who submeters or prorates electricity and cuts it off for an unpaid electric bill.

   Sources 6 · Tex. Prop. Code §92.008(a)–(b), (f) and (h): 'may not interrupt or cause the interruption of utility service paid for directly to the utility company by a tenant unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency'; 'a landlord may not interrupt or cause the interruption of water, wastewater, gas, or electric service furnished to a tenant by the landlord'; 'the tenant's actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs'; 'a landlord who submeters electricity or allocates or prorates nonsubmetered master metered electricity may interrupt or cause the interruption of electric service for nonpayment by the tenant of an electric bill' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. Under Florida law, a landlord may not directly or indirectly cause the termination or interruption of any utility service furnished to the tenant, such as water, heat, light, electricity, gas, elevator, garbage collection or refrigeration, whether or not the landlord controls or pays for it; may not keep the tenant from reasonable access to the unit by any means, including changing the locks; may not remove the tenant's personal property except after surrender, abandonment or a lawful eviction, among other cases; a landlord who violates these rules owes the tenant actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney's fees; and the violation counts as irreparable harm for an injunction.

   Sources 7 · Fla. Stat. §83.67(1), (2), (5)–(7): 'shall not cause, directly or indirectly, the termination or interruption of any utility service furnished the tenant, including, but not limited to, water, heat, light, electricity, gas, elevator, garbage collection, or refrigeration'; 'whether or not the utility service is under the control of, or payment is made by, the landlord'; 'shall not prevent the tenant from gaining reasonable access to the dwelling unit by any means, including, but not limited to, changing the locks or using any bootlock or similar device'; 'shall not remove the tenant’s personal property from the dwelling unit unless such action is taken after surrender, abandonment'; 'or a lawful eviction'; 'actual and consequential damages or 3 months’ rent, whichever is greater, and costs, including attorney’s fees'; 'A violation of this section constitutes irreparable harm for the purposes of injunctive relief' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. The Arizona courts' legal information page explains that after an eviction judgment the writ of restitution is carried out by a constable or sheriff; that the landlord may not change the locks or enter the unit until the court issues the writ and the constable or sheriff serves it; and that the tenant can call the police if the landlord changes the locks or enters too early.

    Sources 8 · After an Eviction Judgment: 'Writs of restitution are executed (served on a tenant or the rental unit) by a constable or sheriff'; 'The landlord may not change the locks or enter the rental unit until the writ of restitution has been issued by the court and served by the constable or sheriff'; 'The tenant can call the police if the landlord changes the locks or enters the rental unit too early' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. In Arizona, if the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully cuts services by interrupting electric, gas, water or another essential service, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover up to two months' rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater.

    Sources 9 · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1367: 'If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or wilfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water or other essential service to the tenant'; 'the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement'; 'recover an amount not more than two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages sustained by him, whichever is greater' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. Under Arizona law, a landlord may not terminate utility services provided to the tenant as part of the rental agreement, except as necessary to make needed repairs or in the cases the law sets out.

    Sources 10 · Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1364(C): 'A landlord shall not terminate utility services as specified in subsection A of this section which are provided to the tenant as part of the rental agreement, except as necessary to make needed repairs or as provided in section 33-1368' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. Under North Carolina law, a residential tenant may be evicted, dispossessed or otherwise removed from the home only through the procedure the law prescribes.

    Sources 11 · N.C. Gen. Stat. §42-25.6: 'a residential tenant shall be evicted, dispossessed or otherwise constructively or actually removed from his dwelling unit only in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Article 3 or Article 7 of this Chapter' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. In North Carolina, if a landlord removes or tries to remove a tenant in a way contrary to the law, the tenant is entitled to recover possession or end the lease, and the landlord is liable for the damages caused, limited to actual damages.

    Sources 12 · N.C. Gen. Stat. §42-25.9(a): 'If any lessor, landlord, or agent removes or attempts to remove a tenant from a dwelling unit in any manner contrary to this Article, the tenant shall be entitled to recover possession or to terminate his lease'; 'shall be liable to the tenant for damages caused by the tenant's removal or attempted removal'; 'limited to actual damages' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. The Illinois courts' guide to filing an eviction case warns that trying to evict a person without a court order is against the law, and that one may not change locks, turn off utilities or take any other action on one's own to force a person to move.

    Sources 13 · How to File and Present an Eviction Case, note on page 2: 'Trying to evict a person without a court order'; 'is AGAINST THE LAW! You may not change locks,'; 'turn off utilities, or take any other action on your own'; 'to try to force a person to move' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. According to the CFPB, some states or local areas have rules that could delay an eviction while you get help, and local housing counselors, legal aid and social services organizations can explain how they work.

    Sources 2 · What to do if you’re facing eviction (page last modified Dec. 12, 2024): 'Some states or local areas have rules that could delay your eviction while you get help'; 'Local housing counselors, legal aid, and social services organizations can help you understand how state or local eviction protections work' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. The CFPB recommends talking to a lawyer if your landlord is threatening to evict you or you need help understanding your rights, and says you may qualify for free legal aid based on your income, through your local bar association or a legal aid office.

    Sources 2 · What to do if you’re facing eviction, 'Legal help': 'If your landlord is threatening to evict you, or you need help understanding your rights, talk to a lawyer'; 'You may qualify for free legal aid, based on your income'; 'Contact your local bar association or legal aid office' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), established by Congress in 1974, funds civil legal aid for low-income Americans; on its site you enter an address or city to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you.

    Sources 14 · I Need Legal Help: 'LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans'; 'enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. HUD says that if you have lost your housing and need shelter and services, for direct assistance you dial 2-1-1 and press 6 for homeless services.

    Sources 15 · Helping Americans, 'Experiencing Homelessness': 'For direct assistance dial 2-1-1 and press 6 for homeless services' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. HUD says that public housing residents, voucher holders and residents of other HUD-assisted housing who need help should contact their local public housing agency, and that residents of HUD-assisted apartment complexes can call the Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at (800) 685-8470.

    Sources 15 · Helping Americans, 'Current HUD-assisted Residents': 'If you are a resident in public housing, a voucher holder, or a resident in other HUD-assisted housing, please contact your local Public Housing Agency'; 'contact HUD’s Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at (800) 685-8470' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. The CFPB says you can get year-round help with utility bills through your local LIHEAP office or by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866) 674-6327.

    Sources 3 · Get help paying rent and bills (page last modified Sept. 25, 2026), 'Help with utility bills': 'Get year-round help with utility bills by contacting your local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office or calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866)-674-6327' · Checked October 17, 2026