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 Vermont, landlords are prohibited from interrupting utility services to a residential tenant as a means of eviction or to force a tenant to leave the premises. This includes essential services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, and security systems. Vermont law stipulates that a landlord cannot shut off these utilities due to a tenant's late payment or nonpayment of rent or utility bills. The only exceptions to this rule are when utility interruptions are necessary for bona fide repairs, construction, or in the case of an emergency. These regulations are designed to protect tenants from unlawful evictions and ensure they have access to necessary services. Landlords who violate these provisions may be subject to legal penalties, including potential claims for damages by the tenant. Vermont's specific statutes regarding landlord and tenant relations can be found in the Vermont Statutes Annotated, particularly in Title 9 (Commerce and Trade), which outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.