Full question:
Tenant is behind in rent and has received a letter from Landlord threatening to have the utilities turned off if payment is not received. Can Landlord legally turn off Tenant's utilities?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: Alabama
Answer:
In most states, a landlord cannot legally turn off utilities if a tenant is behind on rent. Landlords are not allowed to force tenants to move out or shut off utilities as a form of pressure. Utilities can only be turned off for necessary repairs and for a reasonable time. If a landlord deliberately fails to pay utility bills to have the service shut off, this could be considered an illegal shutoff.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.