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 Pennsylvania, landlords are generally prohibited from interrupting utility services to a residential tenant as a means of eviction or to force payment of overdue rent or utility bills. This includes utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and trash collection. The only exceptions where a landlord may interrupt these services are for bona fide repairs, construction, or in the case of an emergency. Any other interruption is considered a form of illegal eviction under Pennsylvania law. Tenants who have their utilities unlawfully shut off by a landlord may have legal recourse, including but not limited to, seeking damages through the courts. It is important for both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and obligations under Pennsylvania's landlord-tenant laws to ensure compliance and avoid legal disputes.