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 Utah, landlords are prohibited from interrupting essential utility services to residential tenants 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, and security systems. The only exceptions to this rule are when the interruption is necessary for bona fide repairs, construction, or in response to an emergency situation. These regulations are designed to protect tenants from unlawful evictions and ensure that their access to necessary services is not unjustly interrupted. Utah's regulations regarding the interruption of utilities by landlords can be found in the state's Residential Renter's Deposits Act (Utah Code Ann. § 57-17-1 et seq.) and the Utah Fit Premises Act (Utah Code Ann. § 57-22-1 et seq.). Violating these provisions can result in legal consequences for the landlord, including potential damages payable to the tenant.