7 Ways Landlords Illegally Violate Tenant Rights That Most Renters Accept

4. Executing Self-Help Evictions

The eviction process requires a strict, formal legal procedure. A landlord cannot legally force you out of your home without taking you to court, presenting their case to a judge, and obtaining a formal eviction judgment. Only a designated law enforcement officer, such as a sheriff or marshal, can physically remove you or your belongings from the property.

Despite this clear legal mandate, some landlords attempt “self-help evictions.” They might change the locks on your apartment while you are at work, shut off your electricity or water supply to make the home unlivable, or remove your furniture and set it on the curb. These actions are universally illegal across the United States. They constitute a severe criminal and civil violation.

If your landlord attempts a self-help eviction, treat it as an emergency. Call the police immediately to report an illegal lockout. Provide law enforcement with a copy of your lease or a piece of mail proving your residency. You have the right to regain entry to your home. Furthermore, courts severely punish landlords who engage in self-help evictions; you can often sue them for substantial financial damages, temporary housing costs, and emotional distress.