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 Louisiana, landlords are generally prohibited from interrupting utility services to a residential tenant, which includes electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and potentially trash collection. This prohibition is in place except in cases of necessary repairs, construction, or emergencies. The law is designed to prevent landlords from using utility shutoffs as a method for evicting tenants or forcing them to pay overdue rent or utility bills. Louisiana's statutes outline the specific conditions under which a landlord may or may not interrupt these services. Tenants who experience illegal utility shutoffs by their landlords may have legal recourse and should consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the remedies available to them under Louisiana law.