Landlord vs Tenant: When Can You Cut Electricity or Change the Locks?

KVV Inc Attorneys

Published on: 04/03/2025

Landlords beware: self-help is no solution. Even if a tenant is in breach of contract, a landlord who takes matters into their own hands by, for example, changing locks or cutting off utilities, risks a spoliation order. The court focuses solely on restoring possession to the tenant, regardless of the merits of the underlying dispute. As a recent case demonstrates, disconnecting electricity and changing locks are both considered unlawful dispossession, requiring immediate restoration of possession and utilities at the landlord's cost. Avoid costly legal battles – always follow due process.