Can a Landlord Shut Off Your Utilities? In Plain Words
General information only — not legal advice. This page explains, in plain words, what two official U.S. government pages say. It does not decide your situation. For advice about your own home, talk with a lawyer or a legal aid office.
What the CFPB says a landlord cannot do
The CFPB is a U.S. government agency. On its page for renters, it gives a plain list of things a landlord cannot do. Two items on that list matter most for this question:
- Fail to pay for utilities under their control. If a utility is under the landlord’s control, the landlord cannot simply fail to pay for it.
- Force you out by changing your locks without a court order. A landlord cannot use a lock change to force you out on their own.
The same CFPB list also says a landlord cannot:
- Demand fees, interest, or other charges that you did not agree to, or that are prohibited by state or local law.
- Refuse to make necessary repairs.
- Endanger the health and safety of tenants.
Where your rights come from
As a renter, you have local, state, and federal rights.
The CFPB puts it this way: your rights as a tenant are usually spelled out in your rental agreement and in state or local laws.
That is why there is no single national rule for every shutoff question on this page. What counts, and what you can do about it, depends on your lease and on the state and local law where you live. Some state and local governments also have protections in place to help people avoid being evicted.
Read your lease first. Your rental agreement is one of the two places the CFPB says your rights are usually spelled out — the other is state and local law. Check what your lease says about who pays for each utility.
If someone else is collecting the money you owe
Sometimes the person trying to collect money you owe your landlord or utility company is not the landlord. It could be a lawyer or law firm acting for the landlord, or a collection agency. The CFPB says that person could be a debt collector under federal law.
Federal law — the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act — says debt collectors can’t use unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices to try to collect a debt. If a debt collector harasses you, or makes false or misleading statements to collect rental debt, they may be breaking federal law.
If you believe a debt collector is using an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice, the CFPB says you can submit a complaint to the CFPB, or call (855) 411-2372.
If you are facing eviction
USAGov says: if you are behind on rent and received a demand for payment, an eviction notice, or an eviction lawsuit, you can learn about your rights and how to get help.
The CFPB’s guide for renters facing eviction makes one point first: too many renters give up before they have a chance to go to court. It can feel overwhelming to respond to a lawsuit or to go to court, but those are important actions to take. When you respond, you can share information that might help you avoid eviction, and you can object to information or accusations that are not true.
The CFPB suggests calling the court clerk and asking:
- “I understand that I have the right to file a written answer explaining to the court why I should not be evicted. How long do I have to file an answer from the date I received the summons?”
- “Is there a court date yet?”
- “Does the court offer mediation or provide referrals to housing counselors?”
- “Do I have the right to have a lawyer? If not, where can I find a lawyer to help me?”
You have the right to file a written answer explaining to the court why you should not be evicted. If you do not have a lawyer yet, you can file an answer on your own. In your answer, explain your situation and what you are doing to try to find help, and say if you have applied for rental assistance or help with utilities and are waiting for a decision. The judge may delay or dismiss the eviction because you are trying to get help.
Where to get help
- A lawyer. Talk with a lawyer if your landlord is threatening to evict you, or if you need help understanding your rights. You may qualify for free legal help. To talk with a lawyer, the CFPB says to contact your local bar association or legal aid office.
- A housing counselor. Housing counselors can help you find resources in your area and make a plan, and the help is free. The CFPB says you can call 800-569-4287 or use its “find a housing counselor” tool.
- Help with rent and utilities. Some rental assistance money may still be available in your area, even though many pandemic programs have closed. The CFPB links renters to emergency rental assistance in their area.
- Subsidized housing. If you live in subsidized housing, the CFPB says you can report a bad landlord to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
General information only — not legal advice. Rules on utilities, notices, and eviction vary by state and by city, and they can change. Read your lease, check your state and local rules, and talk with a lawyer or legal aid office about your own situation.
Sources
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) — “Your tenant and debt collection rights.”
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) — “What to do if you’re facing eviction.”
USAGov (usa.gov) — “Avoid eviction.”
Checked November 2026.