California Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation

California rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.

Short answer: Lockouts and other self-help evictions are illegal. The landlord must go to court and may not physically remove or lock out the tenant, remove outside doors or windows, or take the tenant's belongings to carry out an eviction. Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.)

The rules in California

Lockouts and illegal eviction	Lockouts and other self-help evictions are illegal. The landlord must go to court and may not physically remove or lock out the tenant, remove outside doors or windows, or take the tenant's belongings to carry out an eviction. A landlord who does so may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Summary from the state's official tenant guide, which is not itself legal authority; check the Civil Code sections it cites before acting. Source: Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.)
Landlord shutting off utilities	A landlord must use the court eviction process and may not use self-help to force a tenant out, such as cutting off water, gas or electricity. A landlord who uses unlawful methods may be liable for the tenant's actual damages (such as hotel and meal costs) plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Summary from the state's official tenant guide, which is not itself legal authority; check the Civil Code sections it cites before acting. Source: Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.)
Landlord retaliation	A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services within 180 days after the tenant, in good faith, gives a repair notice under § 1942, reports a suspected bed bug infestation, complains about habitability, complains to a housing agency, or takes part in a related inspection, lawsuit, or arbitration. This applies only if the tenant is not behind on rent, and a tenant may invoke it once per 12 months. Retaliation for organizing or joining a tenants' association, or for exercising other legal rights, is also unlawful. Threatening to report a tenant to immigration authorities counts as retaliation. Remedies include actual damages plus punitive damages of $100 to $2,000 per retaliatory act for fraud, oppression, or malice (§ 1942.5(h)). Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5

California vs. neighboring states

Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation: California vs. neighboring states
State	Lockouts and illegal eviction	Landlord shutting off utilities	Landlord retaliation
California	Lockouts and other self-help evictions are illegal. The landlord must go to court and may not physically remove or lock out the tenant, remove outside doors or windows, or take the tenant's belongings to carry out an eviction. A landlord who does so may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.)	A landlord must use the court eviction process and may not use self-help to force a tenant out, such as cutting off water, gas or electricity. A landlord who uses unlawful methods may be liable for the tenant's actual damages (such as hotel and meal costs) plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.)	A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services within 180 days after the tenant, in good faith, gives a repair notice under § 1942, reports a suspected bed bug infestation, complains about habitability, complains to a housing agency, or takes part in a related inspection, lawsuit, or arbitration. This applies only if the tenant is not behind on rent, and a tenant may invoke it once per 12 months. Retaliation for organizing or joining a tenants' association, or for exercising other legal rights, is also unlawful. Threatening to report a tenant to immigration authorities counts as retaliation. Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5
Arizona	A landlord may not recover or take possession of a rental by action or otherwise, including by willfully cutting essential services, except after abandonment or surrender or as the landlord-tenant act permits. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover the greater of two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. If the lease ends, the landlord must return the security the tenant is owed. A.R.S. §§ 33-1374, 33-1367	A landlord may not take back a rental by willfully cutting off electricity, gas, water or other essential services, and may not terminate utilities provided under the lease except for repairs or as the act allows. If the landlord willfully cuts services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover the greater of two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. If the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply heat, cooling, water, hot water or essential services, after reasonable notice the tenant may buy the service and deduct the reasonable cost from rent, recover damages for reduced rental value, or get reasonable substitute housing and not pay rent for that period. A.R.S. §§ 33-1374, 33-1367, 33-1364	A landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring or threaten an eviction after the tenant (1) complained to a building or housing code agency about a health or safety violation, (2) complained to the landlord about a § 33-1324 maintenance violation, (3) organized or joined a tenants' union, or (4) complained to a wage-price stabilization agency. A complaint within 6 months before the alleged retaliation creates a presumption of retaliation. A.R.S. § 33-1381
Nevada	Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may take possession only through a court action, after the tenant surrenders the unit, or after the tenant abandons it as defined by statute. If the landlord unlawfully removes or locks out the tenant, the tenant may file a verified complaint for expedited relief within 5 judicial days, and the court must hold a hearing within 3 judicial days of filing. The tenant may recover possession or end the agreement and recover actual damages, up to $2,500 set by the court, or both. NRS 118A.480, 118A.390	No. If a landlord willfully interrupts, or causes or permits the interruption of, an essential item or service, the tenant may seek immediate possession through an expedited court complaint, use the essential-services remedies, or end the rental agreement, and may recover actual damages, an amount up to $2,500 set by the court, or both. In setting the award the court considers the landlord's good faith, the parties' course of dealing, and the harm to the tenant. NRS 118A.390, 118A.380	Landlord may not terminate/refuse to renew, raise rent, decrease essential services, or bring or threaten a possession action because the tenant in good faith complained of building/housing/health code violations, complained to the landlord or law enforcement of a violation of Ch. 118A or a criminal statute, organized or joined a tenants' union, instituted or defended a habitability proceeding, filed a fair housing complaint, or is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking (among other listed acts). Tenant gets NRS 118A.390 remedies and a defense to a retaliatory possession action. NRS 118A.510
Oregon	If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, or seriously attempts or threatens to, the tenant may get a court order (injunction) to recover possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' periodic rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security deposits and prepaid rent. The tenant can recover damages without ending the lease or regaining possession. ORS 90.375	If a landlord willfully cuts or seriously threatens to cut heat, running water, hot water, electricity or another essential service, the tenant may get a court order to restore possession, or end the lease and recover up to two months' rent or twice the actual damages, whichever is greater; the tenant does not have to move out to recover damages. Separately, if the landlord intentionally or negligently fails to supply an essential service, the tenant may, after written notice and a reasonable time, buy the service and deduct the cost from rent, recover reduced-rent damages, or get substitute housing and owe no rent for that period. ORS 90.375, 90.365	Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, serve a termination notice, or sue for possession because the tenant complained to a government agency, made a good-faith complaint to the landlord, joined a tenant organization, testified against the landlord, or successfully defended a possession action within the previous 6 months. Tenant has a defense and the ORS 90.375 remedies. ORS 90.385

City rules that may add to state law

More California rental law

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California Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ

Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in California?

Lockouts and other self-help evictions are illegal. The landlord must go to court and may not physically remove or lock out the tenant, remove outside doors or windows, or take the tenant's belongings to carry out an eviction. A landlord who does so may be liable for the tenant's actual damages plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. (Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.))

Can a landlord shut off utilities in California?

A landlord must use the court eviction process and may not use self-help to force a tenant out, such as cutting off water, gas or electricity. A landlord who uses unlawful methods may be liable for the tenant's actual damages (such as hotel and meal costs) plus penalties of up to $100 per day for the time the unlawful methods were used. (Cal. Dept. of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 ed.))

Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in California?

A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services within 180 days after the tenant, in good faith, gives a repair notice under § 1942, reports a suspected bed bug infestation, complains about habitability, complains to a housing agency, or takes part in a related inspection, lawsuit, or arbitration. This applies only if the tenant is not behind on rent, and a tenant may invoke it once per 12 months. Retaliation for organizing or joining a tenants' association, or for exercising other legal rights, is also unlawful. Threatening to report a tenant to immigration authorities counts as retaliation. (Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5)

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.