Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
Short answer: No, in virtually every state. Only a court can order an eviction, and only a sheriff, marshal or constable can carry it out. Lockouts, removing belongings and cutting utilities to force a tenant out are illegal "self-help" evictions.
If you are locked out or your utilities are cut
- Call local police or the sheriff's non-emergency line and explain you are a tenant locked out without a court order.
- Contact local legal aid right away — many states let tenants recover damages for an illegal lockout.
- Keep records: photos, texts, utility notices.
The rule in every state
Each answer below links to the statute or official page it comes from (50 of 51 jurisdictions verified).
| State | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Self-help eviction is prohibited. A landlord may not take possession, including by interrupting heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas, or other essential service, except after abandonment or surrender or as the Act permits. A tenant who is unlawfully removed, excluded, or has services cut off may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to 3 months' periodic rent or actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-427, 35-9A-407 |
| Alaska | Self-help eviction is prohibited: no shutting off utilities, changing locks, taking belongings, or retaking the unit without a court hearing, even if the lease says otherwise. If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully cuts services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and in either case may recover up to 1.5 times actual damages. AS 34.03.210; AS 34.03.040(a)(1) |
| Arizona | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1364(C)-(D) |
| Arkansas | No statute — no Arkansas landlord-tenant statute expressly bans lockouts or utility shutoffs or gives the tenant a damages remedy for them. The statutory routes to regain possession are unlawful detainer (§§ 18-60-301 et seq., 3 days' written notice) and eviction in district court (§§ 18-17-901 et seq.), with the sheriff executing the writ. Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Ch. 17; §§ 18-60-304, 18-60-307, 18-17-901 |
| California | Prohibited when done to force the tenant out: willfully cutting utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, elevator, refrigeration), changing locks, removing doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. The tenant may recover actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, with a minimum of $250 per cause of action, and reasonable attorney's fees. Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3 |
| Colorado | Unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant without court process, including by willfully cutting utilities or removing doors, windows, or locks. Exceptions are abandonment, mutual consent, and meth-lab cleanup rules. The tenant is awarded statutory damages equal to actual damages plus the higher of three times monthly rent or $5,000, plus attorney fees and costs, and the court may restore possession. C.R.S. § 38-12-510 |
| Connecticut | Self-help eviction is illegal. Civil: 'entry and detainer' complaint to a Superior Court judge for being ousted, held out, or having property removed or detained; double damages plus costs. Criminal: landlord who, without a court order, deprives a tenant of access to the unit or possessions commits criminal lockout, a class C misdemeanor. Loss of landlord-supplied essential services is remedied under § 47a-13. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-43, 47a-46, 53a-214, 47a-13 |
| Delaware | Without a valid court order, a landlord may not oust or exclude the tenant. Tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of treble damages or 3 times per diem rent for the exclusion period, plus costs (not attorney fees). Landlord may not shut off utility service for nonpayment of rent or utility charges or for any other breach. 25 Del. C. §§ 5313, 5312(e) |
| District of Columbia | Self-help eviction is prohibited: landlord may not cut off utilities or change the locks to evict. Any eviction must follow a court order after the notice to vacate expires and be scheduled and supervised by the U.S. Marshals Service. D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01, 42-3505.01a, 16-1501 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights) |
| Florida | Landlord may not interrupt utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, elevator, garbage, refrigeration), change locks or use a bootlock, remove doors/windows/locks, or remove the tenant's property except after surrender, abandonment, or lawful eviction. Tenant recovers the greater of actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, plus costs and attorney's fees. Fla. Stat. § 83.67 |
| Georgia | Self-help eviction is illegal: landlord cannot remove a tenant or block access without the court dispossessory process. A landlord may not knowingly and willfully suspend a tenant's utility service before the final disposition of a dispossessory case the landlord has filed against that tenant; 'utilities' means cooling, heat, light, and water service. Violation is a crime punishable by a fine of up to $500. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1 (definition amended by HB 404, 2024); Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (DCA, rev. 8-29-24), pp. 7, 12, 17 |
| Hawaii | Lockout: if the landlord removes or excludes the tenant overnight without cause or court order, the tenant may recover possession or terminate and recover 2 months' rent (or 2 months' free occupancy) plus costs and attorney's fees. Utility shutoff: landlord may not wilfully interrupt water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to regain possession; it is an unfair and deceptive practice with minimum damages of the greater of 3 times the monthly rent or $1,000. HRS §§ 521-63(c), 521-74.5 |
| Idaho | Self-help eviction is unlawful: a landlord may not shut off utilities, change locks, confiscate the tenant's property, or do anything other than file a lawful eviction. A party who recovers damages for forcible or unlawful entry or detainer may be awarded up to three times actual damages. Idaho AG Manual 'Unlawful Evictions'; Idaho Code § 6-317 |
| Illinois | Self-help eviction not allowed: a landlord must go to court and may not evict by turning off utilities, locking the tenant out, changing locks, or removing belongings; only a sheriff may physically evict. Illinois AG fact sheet 'The Eviction Process' |
| Indiana | Except by court order, landlord may not change locks, remove doors/windows/fixtures/appliances, or interrupt or shut off electricity, gas, water or other essential services (emergencies, good-faith repairs and necessary construction excepted), and may not seize or withhold tenant property to enforce rent. Tenant may petition for an emergency possessory order; the court must hold a hearing within 3 business days and may order possession restored, plus damages at a later hearing. IC 32-31-5-5, 32-31-5-6; IC 32-31-6-3, 32-31-6-5, 32-31-6-6, 32-31-6-9 |
| Iowa | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession (or terminate the lease) and recover actual damages, punitive damages up to twice the monthly rent, and reasonable attorney fees. Iowa Code § 562A.26 |
| Kansas | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water or other essential services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease and recover the greater of 1.5 months' rent or actual damages. K.S.A. 58-2563 |
| Kentucky | URLTA areas: if the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts heat, water, hot water, electric, gas or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate and recover up to 3 months' rent plus reasonable attorney fees. Statewide: a landlord's entry on the possession of a tenant at will or by sufferance is a forcible entry, remediable through a forcible entry and detainer action in District Court. KRS 383.655; KRS 383.200(2)(b), 383.210 |
| Louisiana | Self-help eviction is not authorized. A landlord must use the court process (notice to vacate, rule to show cause, judgment, and a warrant executed by the sheriff, constable or marshal). The only exception is a reasonable belief that the tenant abandoned the premises. A landlord who locks out the tenant or removes belongings may be liable for wrongful-eviction damages. La. C.C.P. arts. 4701, 4731-4734; La. C.C. art. 2682 |
| Maine | Self-help eviction is illegal: a landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities (water, heat, electricity, gas, etc.), lock the tenant out, or seize the tenant's property except by judicial process. Remedy: actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 14 M.R.S. § 6014 |
| Maryland | Prohibited. A landlord may not take or threaten to take possession by locking out the tenant, willfully cutting heat, running water, hot water, electricity, or gas to force the tenant out, or by any other action. Possession may be taken only under a court warrant of restitution executed by a sheriff or constable, or after abandonment/surrender. Remedy: actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs; other remedies also available. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-216 |
| Massachusetts | Illegal. A landlord who willfully fails to provide required utilities or services (heat, hot water, water, light, power, gas, elevator); interferes with them; shifts utility costs to the tenant without consent; interferes with quiet enjoyment; or tries to regain possession by force without court process faces: a criminal fine of $25-$300 or up to 6 months' imprisonment; and civil liability for actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney's fees. A tenant removed or excluded without a valid court order may get back into the unit or end the lease, and may recover 3 months' rent or 3x actual damages, plus costs and attorney's fees. G.L. c. 186, §§ 14, 15F |
| Michigan | Self-help eviction is prohibited. Landlord may not use force or threats, remove/retain/destroy the tenant's property, change locks without immediately providing keys, board up, remove doors/windows/locks, interrupt essential services (heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas) amounting to constructive eviction, or introduce noise/odor/nuisance. Tenant may recover actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, for each occurrence, plus possession; unlawful forcible ejection allows 3 times actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. MCL 600.2918(1)-(2) |
| Minnesota | Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord who unlawfully and in bad faith locks out or excludes a residential tenant is liable for triple damages or $500, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees. A landlord may not interrupt electricity, heat, gas, or water. Penalty: triple damages or $500, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees. Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.231, 504B.221, 504B.225, 504B.375 |
| Mississippi | The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has no express ban on self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs and no damages remedy for them. The Act provides a court eviction process (§§ 89-8-31 to 89-8-39), and only a sheriff or constable may remove the tenant, under a warrant of removal issued after the move-out date. Since 2025, posting the warrant on the door does not count as executing it; law enforcement must remove the occupants. New in 2026: HB 1404 (approved March 25, 2026) makes it a crime to knowingly fail to apply tenant money collected under a lease for utilities to the utility bill within 60 days of receiving the bill. Penalties run from up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine, up to 20 years or a $50,000 fine, depending on the amount, plus restitution. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-31, 89-8-39(2) (as amended by Laws 2025, ch. 460); 2026 HB 1404 (Code section not yet assigned in the sources reviewed) |
| Missouri | Prohibited. A landlord who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's property without judicial process and court order, or removes doors or locks, is guilty of forcible entry and detainer. The same applies to willfully interrupting essential services (electric, gas, water, sewer) unless done for health or safety reasons. Tenant can sue under Ch. 534, which awards double damages and double monthly rents/profits until restitution. RSMo 441.233; 534.330 |
| Montana | Self-help eviction prohibited: landlord may not recover possession except by court action (or after abandonment/surrender), and may not purposefully cut heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas, or other essential services. Tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover up to 3 months' periodic rent or treble damages, whichever is greater. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-24-428, 70-24-411 |
| Nebraska | Prohibited. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover an amount equal to three months' periodic rent as liquidated damages plus a reasonable attorney's fee. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1430 |
| Nevada | Prohibited. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts (or causes/permits interruption of) any essential item or service, the tenant may recover immediate possession, actual damages, and/or an amount up to $2,500 fixed by the court. NRS 118A.390 |
| New Hampshire | Prohibited. Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate any utility (even one it doesn't control), except temporarily for repairs or emergencies, and may not lock out or deny access to the tenant or the tenant's property except by judicial process. RSA 540-A:3, I-III; RSA 540-A:4; RSA 358-A:10 |
| New Jersey | Self-help eviction is illegal. A residence may be entered or retaken without the occupant's consent only through legal eviction process, and only a court officer may execute a warrant for possession. It is a disorderly persons offense, after a warning from police or another official, to take possession without a lawful warrant, including by changing or padlocking locks, removing belongings, or shutting off heat, electricity, water, or other vital services. A second offense within 5 years is a fourth-degree crime. A displaced tenant may re-enter with a police officer present. In a civil action, the tenant can recover possession, all damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees, or treble damages if return to possession is not appropriate. N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1, 2A:39-2, 2A:39-8; 2C:33-11.1; 2A:42-10.16 |
| New Mexico | Without a court order, an owner may not exclude or remove a resident by fraud, changing/plugging locks, blocking entrances, interfering with utilities or services, removing belongings, disabling appliances, or making the unit inaccessible/uninhabitable. Resident may abate 100% of rent for each affected day, recover a civil penalty of 2x monthly rent, recover possession or terminate, and get damages. NMSA 1978, §§ 47-8-36, 47-8-48(C) |
| New York | Self-help eviction is illegal: no force/threats, cutting off essential services, removing belongings or the door, or changing/disabling locks to remove an occupant who has lived there 30+ days or has a lease. Owner must restore the occupant. Penalties: class A misdemeanor; civil penalty of $1,000-$10,000 per violation plus up to $100/day (max 6 months) for failing to restore. N.Y. RPAPL § 768; RPL § 235 (willful failure to furnish water, heat, light, power, etc.) |
| North Carolina | Residential tenants may be removed only through the court summary ejectment process; actual or constructive removal (e.g., lockouts, utility cutoffs) is prohibited. Tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease, plus actual damages (no punitive or treble damages). N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-25.6, 42-25.9(a) |
| North Dakota | ND Attorney General: 'The landlord cannot lock you out, cut off the utilities, or confiscate your belongings.' Eviction requires a court order. ND Attorney General tenant rights page; N.D.C.C. ch. 47-32 |
| Ohio | Landlord may not recover possession by cutting off utilities or services, excluding the tenant (lockout), or threatening unlawful acts, and may not seize the tenant's belongings to collect rent without a court order. Landlord is liable for all damages plus reasonable attorney's fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.15 |
| Oklahoma | Self-help eviction prohibited in effect: if a landlord wrongfully removes or excludes the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of twice the average monthly rent or twice actual damages. If the landlord willfully or negligently cuts essential services, tenant may terminate, buy substitute services and deduct, recover diminished rental value damages, or obtain substitute housing excused from rent. 41 O.S. § 123; 41 O.S. § 121(C) |
| Oregon | If the landlord unlawfully removes/excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts utilities or essential services, the tenant may obtain an injunction to regain possession, or terminate and recover the greater of 2 months' periodic rent or twice actual damages; deposits and prepaid rent must be returned. ORS 90.375 |
| Pennsylvania | Self-help eviction is prohibited: a landlord may not change locks or shut off utilities to evict; the landlord must use the court process. PA AG Consumer Guide (Part V.C); Landlord and Tenant Act Art. V |
| Rhode Island | Self-help eviction prohibited, including cutting heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services. Tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of up to 3 months' periodic rent or three times actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-44, 34-18-34 |
| South Carolina | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant or willfully diminishes/interrupts essential services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate, and recover the greater of 3 months' periodic rent or twice actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees. S.C. Code § 27-40-660 |
| South Dakota | If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may sue for an injunction, recover possession, or end the lease. In any of these cases the tenant also recovers damages equal to two months' rent plus return of any advance rent and deposit. SDCL 43-32-6 |
| Tennessee | URLTA counties: if a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully cuts essential services required by the lease, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease. In either case the tenant may recover actual damages, punitive damages when appropriate, and reasonable attorney's fees. If the lease ends, the landlord must return all prepaid rent and deposits. T.C.A. 66-28-504; 66-28-517(d) |
| Texas | Landlord may not intentionally exclude a tenant except by judicial process, with narrow exceptions including a lock change for rent delinquency if allowed by the lease and preceded by written notice (5 days if mailed, 3 days if hand-delivered/posted), and a new key must be available 24 hours a day regardless of payment. Remedy: possession or termination, plus one month's rent + $1,000, actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Interrupting utilities (except for repairs, construction, emergency, or authorized submetered electric cutoffs) carries the same one month's rent + $1,000 remedy. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.0081; Sec. 92.008 |
| Utah | Unlawful for an owner to willfully exclude a tenant from the premises in any manner except by judicial process (abandoned premises excepted). Utah Courts guidance: without a court order a landlord cannot change the locks, turn off utilities, or take the tenant's belongings. Utah Code 78B-6-814 |
| Vermont | Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate a tenant's utility service (except for temporary emergency repairs), or deny access to the premises or the tenant's property, except by proper judicial process. Tenant may sue for injunctive relief, damages, costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 9 V.S.A. 4463; 4464 |
| Virginia | Willful unlawful removal/exclusion of a tenant or interruption of an essential service without court authority: tenant may recover actual damages plus statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees; court may order return to the unit and restoration of services. Va. Code 55.1-1243.1 |
| Washington | Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300 |
| West Virginia | Not verified yet |
| Wisconsin | Prohibited. Landlords may not exclude, forcibly evict, or constructively evict a tenant (including by cutting off heat, water, or electricity) except through ch. 799 court eviction. They also may not seize the tenant's property. A lease clause authorizing non-judicial eviction voids the lease. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(4), (7); Wis. Stat. § 704.44(2m) |
| Wyoming | No statute — Wyoming has no law that expressly bans landlord lockouts or utility shutoffs. The statutes provide a court process instead: a landlord who wants a tenant out files a forcible entry and detainer (FED) case, and after judgment an officer executes the writ of restitution; only then may the sheriff remove the renter's belongings and prevent reentry. W.S. 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1017, 1-21-1211(a) (Title 1, Ch. 21, Arts. 10 and 12 checked) |
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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.