Idaho Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Idaho 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: Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 27-28; Idaho Code §§ 6-301, 6-317
The rules in Idaho
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Turning a person out of possession by force, threats or menacing conduct is a forcible entry under Idaho law, and a tenant who recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry or detention may be awarded three times the actual damages. Statutes: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title6/T6CH3/SECT6-301/ and https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title6/T6CH3/SECT6-317/. After an eviction judgment, a residential tenant has 72 hours to remove belongings before the landlord may dispose of them (§ 6-316(2)). |
|---|---|
| Landlord shutting off utilities | The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual lists shutting off the utilities among the self-help steps that are unlawful for a landlord trying to force a tenant out; the landlord must use a court eviction instead. The manual notes a landlord or utility may shut off a utility for a reasonable time when repairs are needed. The manual does not cite a statute for this rule, and no statutory damages amount for a utility shutoff was verified. Separately, Idaho Public Utilities Commission rules limit winter heat shutoffs by public utilities for nonpayment in some households (manual p. 16). |
| Landlord retaliation | No statute — Idaho has no general anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual says a landlord may not evict a tenant for asking for repairs or joining a tenants' association, but it cites no statute and sets no presumption period. Tenants in manufactured home communities are protected by statute: the landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because the resident complained in good faith to a code agency or to the landlord, joined or led a resident association, or hired a lawyer or agent. The AG manual's statement is guidance, not a statute: https://www.ag.idaho.gov/content/uploads/2026/07/LandlordTenant.pdf. Tenants who believe an eviction is retaliatory should get legal advice; whether a court will recognize a retaliation defense outside manufactured home communities is uncertain. |
Related questions
Idaho vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Turning a person out of possession by force, threats or menacing conduct is a forcible entry under Idaho law, and a tenant who recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry or detention may be awarded three times the actual damages. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 27-28; Idaho Code §§ 6-301, 6-317 | The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual lists shutting off the utilities among the self-help steps that are unlawful for a landlord trying to force a tenant out; the landlord must use a court eviction instead. The manual notes a landlord or utility may shut off a utility for a reasonable time when repairs are needed. Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 15-16, 27-28 | No statute — Idaho has no general anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual says a landlord may not evict a tenant for asking for repairs or joining a tenants' association, but it cites no statute and sets no presumption period. Tenants in manufactured home communities are protected by statute: the landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because the resident complained in good faith to a code agency or to the landlord, joined or led a resident association, or hired a lawyer or agent. No statute (Idaho Code Title 6 ch. 3 and Title 55 chs. 2-3 checked); Idaho Code § 55-2015 (manufactured home communities only) |
| Montana | Self-help eviction is banned. Except after abandonment or surrender, or as the Act permits, a landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the rental agreement and recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater; if the agreement ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security and prepaid rent. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-428, 70-24-411 | No. A landlord may not take possession by purposefully cutting off heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas, or other essential services. If a landlord purposefully interrupts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the rental agreement and, either way, recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater. If the agreement ends, the landlord must return all recoverable security and prepaid rent. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-428, 70-24-411, 70-24-408 | Landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or bring or threaten a possession action after the tenant complained to a government code-enforcement agency, made a written complaint to the landlord about § 70-24-303 duties, or organized/joined a tenants' union. A complaint within 6 months before the act creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-431 |
| 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 |
| Utah | It is unlawful for an owner to willfully exclude a tenant from the premises in any manner except by court process (judicial eviction). 'Willful exclusion' means preventing the tenant from entering with intent to deprive the tenant of entry. The only exception is when the tenant has abandoned the premises: the owner may then remove the contents under the abandoned-property procedure and re-rent. The section does not itself list damages for a lockout. Utah Code §§ 78B-6-814, 78B-6-801(11), 78B-6-816 | Utah's landlord-tenant statutes do not specifically address a landlord shutting off utilities to force a renter out. It is unlawful for an owner to willfully keep a tenant out of the premises in any manner except by court process. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter may use the written notice-of-deficient-condition process (rent abatement and ending the lease, or repair and deduct) if the owner does not correct such a problem. Utah Code §§ 78B-6-814, 57-22-3, 57-22-4(1), 57-22-6 | No statute — Utah has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs). One limited rule: an owner may not restrict a renter's ability to ask a public safety agency (such as police or fire) for help, and may not penalize or evict a renter for making reasonable requests for that help. Utah Code 57-22-5.1(10); Utah Fit Premises Act (57-22) and Forcible Entry and Detainer (78B-6 Part 8) checked |
| Washington | It is unlawful for a landlord to remove or shut out a tenant without a court order. A tenant removed or excluded this way may get back possession or end the rental agreement, and in either case recover actual damages. The winning side may recover costs and reasonable attorney's fees. RCW 59.18.290(1) | No. It is unlawful for a landlord to intentionally cause any of the tenant's utility services, including water, heat, electricity or gas, to be shut off, except for a reasonable interruption to make necessary repairs. A landlord who violates this may owe the tenant actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, and the winning side may recover costs and reasonable attorney's fees. RCW 59.18.300 | Landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services or increase obligations (or threaten to) in retaliation for good-faith complaints to a government authority about code violations or for asserting rights under RCW 59.18. Action within 90 days after the protected act (or a resulting inspection/proceeding) is presumed retaliatory. RCW 59.18.240; RCW 59.18.250 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that expressly bans a landlord from changing locks or removing a renter without a court order, or that sets damages for doing so. The statutes provide a court eviction process (forcible entry and detainer) with a written notice to quit served at least three days before filing; after a court order, the sheriff may remove the renter's belongings and prevent re-entry. W.S. 1-21-1003, 1-21-1211(a); W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed) | Wyoming's residential rental and eviction statutes have no provision that specifically bans a landlord from shutting off utilities to force a renter out or sets damages for it. Separately, owners must maintain electrical systems, plumbing, heating, and hot and cold water, and a renter who is current on payments can use the written notice and court process for health and safety problems. W.S. 1-21-1203(a)(iii), 1-21-1206; W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1211 (reviewed) | No statute — Wyoming has no general law barring landlord retaliation (for example, for complaining about repairs or contacting an inspector). The only related rule: a landlord may not end a tenancy based solely on a tenant's or household member's status as a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence. W.S. 1-21-1303(c); Title 1, Ch. 21, Arts. 10, 12, 13 and 14 checked |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation in all 50 states and DC →
Idaho Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Idaho?
Self-help eviction is unlawful in Idaho. The Attorney General's manual says a landlord may not shut off utilities, change the locks, take the tenant's belongings or do anything other than file a lawful eviction case. Turning a person out of possession by force, threats or menacing conduct is a forcible entry under Idaho law, and a tenant who recovers damages for a forcible or unlawful entry or detention may be awarded three times the actual damages. (Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 27-28; Idaho Code §§ 6-301, 6-317)
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Idaho?
The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual lists shutting off the utilities among the self-help steps that are unlawful for a landlord trying to force a tenant out; the landlord must use a court eviction instead. The manual notes a landlord or utility may shut off a utility for a reasonable time when repairs are needed. (Idaho Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual (July 2026), pp. 15-16, 27-28)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Idaho?
No statute — Idaho has no general anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. The Idaho Attorney General's Landlord and Tenant Manual says a landlord may not evict a tenant for asking for repairs or joining a tenants' association, but it cites no statute and sets no presumption period. Tenants in manufactured home communities are protected by statute: the landlord may not end or refuse to renew the tenancy, raise rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because the resident complained in good faith to a code agency or to the landlord, joined or led a resident association, or hired a lawyer or agent. (No statute (Idaho Code Title 6 ch. 3 and Title 55 chs. 2-3 checked); Idaho Code § 55-2015 (manufactured home communities only))
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.