Nebraska Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Nebraska 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 banned. A landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise, except after abandonment, surrender, or as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act permits. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430
The rules in Nebraska
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise, except after abandonment, surrender, or as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act permits. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security (§ 76-1430). The Act also bars landlord liens and distraint of a tenant's property (§ 76-1434). |
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| Landlord shutting off utilities | No. A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water, or other essential services. If the landlord willfully and wrongfully cuts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee; if the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security. For a deliberate or negligent failure to supply running water, hot water, heat, or essential services, the tenant may, after written notice, buy the services and deduct the cost from rent, recover damages for reduced rental value, or get substitute housing and owe no rent during the outage; if the failure is deliberate, the tenant may also recover substitute-housing costs up to one period's rent and attorney's fees (§ 76-1427). These rights do not cover conditions caused by the tenant's household or guests or circumstances beyond the landlord's control. |
| Landlord retaliation | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring/threaten a possession action because the tenant complained to a government agency about a housing-code violation affecting health and safety, or organized/joined a tenants' union. Tenant may use § 76-1430 remedies and raise retaliation as a defense. No statutory presumption period. Exceptions: tenant-caused violation, tenant in default on rent, or code compliance requires alteration/demolition that deprives tenant of use. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439 |
Related questions
Nebraska vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise, except after abandonment, surrender, or as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act permits. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430 | No. A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water, or other essential services. If the landlord willfully and wrongfully cuts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee; if the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430, 76-1427 | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring/threaten a possession action because the tenant complained to a government agency about a housing-code violation affecting health and safety, or organized/joined a tenants' union. Tenant may use § 76-1430 remedies and raise retaliation as a defense. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439 |
| Colorado | It is unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant without court process, including by willfully removing doors, windows or locks other than for repair, unless the tenant agreed, the unit was abandoned (shown by things like returned keys, removal of belongings, notice, or long absence with rent unpaid), or it is required for an illegal drug-lab cleanup. The tenant may sue to stop the violation and must be awarded actual damages plus the greater of three times the monthly rent or $5,000, along with costs and reasonable attorney fees; the court may order possession restored. C.R.S. § 38-12-510 | A landlord may not remove or shut out a tenant without going to court, and unlawful removal includes willfully cutting off utilities. If a landlord willfully and unlawfully causes heat, running water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services to be cut off, the tenant may sue to stop it and must be awarded actual damages plus statutory damages of the greater of three times the monthly rent or $5,000, along with costs and reasonable attorney fees; the court may also restore possession. C.R.S. § 38-12-510 | A landlord may not retaliate (raise rent, cut services, end or not renew the lease, bring or threaten eviction, harass, or charge fees) because the tenant made a good-faith complaint about a habitability condition to the landlord, a nonprofit, or a government agency; joined or organized a tenants' association; or used habitability remedies. The tenant need only show that the protected activity was a motivating factor. Remedies: the greater of three months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney fees. The tenant may also terminate the lease and raise retaliation as a defense to eviction. C.R.S. § 38-12-509 |
| Iowa | A landlord may not recover or take possession except after abandonment or surrender or as the landlord-tenant law permits (such as a court eviction). If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease, and in either case recover actual damages, punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, and reasonable attorney fees. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and the security deposit. Iowa Code §§ 562A.26, 562A.33 | A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water or other essential service, except after abandonment, surrender or as the law allows. If the landlord willfully cuts essential services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease, and in either case recover actual damages, punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent, and reasonable attorney fees. Separately, if the landlord deliberately or negligently fails to supply heat, running water, hot water or essential services, the tenant may give written notice and buy them and deduct the cost from rent, or recover reduced rental value. Iowa Code §§ 562A.33, 562A.26, 562A.23 | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring or threaten an action for possession after the tenant complains to a code-enforcement agency about a health/safety violation, complains to the landlord about a § 562A.15 violation, or organizes or joins a tenants' union. A good-faith complaint within one year before the alleged retaliation creates a presumption of retaliation. Tenant may recover actual damages and attorney fees and has a defense to eviction. Iowa Code § 562A.36 |
| Kansas | Self-help eviction is barred: a landlord may not recover or take possession of a home except after abandonment or surrender or as the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act allows. If a landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover up to 1.5 months' rent or the actual damages, whichever is greater, plus the recoverable part of the deposit if the lease ends. K.S.A. 58-2569, 58-2563 | A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water or other essential service, except after abandonment or surrender or as the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act otherwise allows. If the landlord willfully cuts essential services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover up to 1.5 months' rent or the actual damages, whichever is greater. If the lease ends, the landlord must return the recoverable part of the security deposit. K.S.A. 58-2569, 58-2563 | Landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services after a tenant complains to a code-enforcement agency about a health/safety violation, complains to the landlord about a K.S.A. 58-2553 violation, or organizes or joins a tenants' union. Remedies: those in K.S.A. 58-2563 (recover possession or terminate, plus the greater of 1.5 months' rent or actual damages) and a defense to eviction. No statutory presumption period. K.S.A. 58-2572 |
| Missouri | A landlord or agent who removes or shuts out a tenant or the tenant's belongings without court process and a court order, or removes the doors or locks, is deemed guilty of 'forcible entry and detainer' under RSMo chapter 534 (except as allowed by RSMo 441.065). After an eviction judgment, if the officer does not deliver possession within seven days of receiving the writ, the landlord may, within 60 days of the judgment and in the presence of a law enforcement officer, break and remove locks and take possession without breach of the peace. RSMo 441.233.1; RSMo 441.060.5 | A landlord or its agent who willfully cuts services to a tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of essential services - including electric, gas, water or sewer service - to the tenant or the premises is deemed guilty of 'forcible entry and detainer' under RSMo chapter 534, unless the landlord did so for health or safety reasons. RSMo 441.233.2 | No general statewide anti-retaliation statute for residential tenants. RSMo Chs. 441, 534 and 535 (no section on retaliation) |
| South Dakota | If a residential landlord unlawfully removes or locks out a tenant, the tenant may sue for an injunction, recover possession by suit, or end the rental agreement, and in any case recover damages equal to two months' rent plus return of any advance rent and deposit. Belongings left after a tenant has moved out are presumed abandoned after 10 days if worth $500 or less; property worth more must be stored for at least 30 days before it can be treated as abandoned. SDCL 43-32-6, 43-32-25, 43-32-26 | If a residential landlord willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or another essential service to the tenant, the tenant may sue for an injunction, recover possession by suit, or end the rental agreement, and in any case recover damages equal to two months' rent plus return of any advance rent and deposit. SDCL 43-32-6 | No statutory presumption. After a protected act, a tenant may sue if the landlord retaliates by raising rent above fair market value, decreasing electric, gas, water, or sewer service, or giving a notice to vacate that is not based on a lease breach. Protected acts are a good-faith complaint to a government agency about a housing or building code violation affecting health and safety (once the landlord has written notice of it), a written repair notice under 43-32-9, and organizing or joining a tenants' union or organization. The landlord has a defense if the notice to vacate came more than 180 days after the protected act. Not renewing a written lease is not retaliation. SDCL 43-32-27, 43-32-28 |
| 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
More Nebraska rental law
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- Nebraska Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
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- Nebraska Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Nebraska landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Nebraska
Compare lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation in all 50 states and DC →
Nebraska Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Nebraska?
Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may not recover or take possession of the unit by action or otherwise, except after abandonment, surrender, or as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act permits. If a landlord unlawfully removes or shuts out the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430)
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Nebraska?
No. A landlord may not take possession by willfully interrupting electric, gas, water, or other essential services. If the landlord willfully and wrongfully cuts those services, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee; if the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and recoverable security. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1436, 76-1430, 76-1427)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Nebraska?
Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring/threaten a possession action because the tenant complained to a government agency about a housing-code violation affecting health and safety, or organized/joined a tenants' union. Tenant may use § 76-1430 remedies and raise retaliation as a defense. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1439)
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.