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 New Jersey, landlords are prohibited from willfully interrupting utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and trash collection to residential tenants, except for legitimate reasons such as repairs, construction, or emergencies. This prohibition is in place to prevent landlords from using utility shutoffs as a method for evicting tenants or forcing them to pay overdue rent or utility bills. New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) and other relevant statutes outline the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants regarding utility services. If a landlord unlawfully interrupts a tenant's utilities, the tenant may have legal recourse, which could include restoring the service, seeking damages, or other remedies as provided by law.