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 Mississippi, landlords are prohibited from interrupting utility services to a residential tenant as a form of eviction or to force a tenant to leave the premises. This includes essential services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, and other utilities mentioned. The Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act specifies that a landlord may not deliberately interrupt these services, regardless of whether the tenant is late on payments for rent or utilities. However, there are exceptions where utility interruption is permissible, such as for bona fide repairs, construction, or emergencies. If a landlord unlawfully interrupts a tenant's utilities, the tenant may have legal recourse, which could include restoring the service, recovering damages, and in some cases, obtaining a penalty fee from the landlord. It is important for both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and obligations under Mississippi law, and an attorney can provide specific legal advice based on individual circumstances.