Except under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, a landlord generally may not interrupt utilities provided to a residential tenant—such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and in some areas, trash collection—unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency.

A landlord generally may not shut off utilities to a residential tenant because the tenant is late in paying for the utilities. Laws vary from state to state, and laws related to a landlord’s interruption of a residential tenant’s utility services are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Idaho, landlords are prohibited from deliberately interrupting essential utility services to tenants, such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, and others, as a means of eviction or to force payment of overdue rent or utility bills. This practice is often referred to as a 'constructive eviction' and is generally illegal. Idaho's landlord-tenant laws require that landlords provide tenants with habitable living conditions, which include access to essential utilities. If a landlord needs to interrupt services for legitimate reasons such as repairs, construction, or emergencies, they must typically provide notice to the tenants and minimize the disruption. Tenants who have their utilities unlawfully interrupted by a landlord may have legal recourse, which can include restoring service, damages, and in some cases, penalties against the landlord. It's important for both landlords and tenants in Idaho to understand their rights and responsibilities under the state's statutes to ensure compliance and avoid legal disputes.