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 West Virginia, landlords are generally prohibited from interrupting utility services to a residential tenant, which includes electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and potentially trash collection. This prohibition is in place except in cases of necessary repairs, construction, or emergencies. The law is designed to prevent landlords from using utility shutoffs as a method for evicting tenants or forcing payment of late utility bills. West Virginia's landlord-tenant laws, which can be found in the state's statutes, outline the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants regarding utility services. It is important for both parties to understand these regulations to ensure compliance and to avoid potential legal disputes.