Illegal lockout

Your landlord may not shut off your heat, water, or power to push you out. Your landlord may not change your locks. These moves are illegal.

Your landlord may not force you out by harassing you. They may not change your locks. They may not cut off your utilities, such as water, heat, or power. If this happens, get legal help right away.

Locked out illegally? Go to the justice court for your area and file a sworn complaint for reentry. The judge can issue a fast order, called a writ of reentry, that puts you back in your home.

Owing rent does not let your landlord cut your utilities. The landlord may not shut off water, gas, or electric service they supply, except for real repairs, construction, or an emergency.

The landlord cannot force you out by shutting off water, power, gas, or phone. The landlord also cannot change the locks or remove your doors or belongings.

A landlord who locks you out or cuts utilities owes you money. A court can award your losses plus up to $100 per day, and at least $250 per violation, plus your lawyer fees.

In Philadelphia, your landlord cannot change, remove, or plug your locks to force you out. City law treats this as an illegal self-help eviction as per Phila. Code Ch. 9-1600.

Your landlord cannot shut off your utilities, even if you are behind on rent. This is true even when utilities are included in your rent.