California Tenant Question Library
Can a California Landlord Shut Off My Utilities?
Short answer
Generally, no. A landlord usually cannot shut off your utilities — water, electricity, gas, heat — to pressure you to leave. That's an illegal "self-help" eviction.
Under California law (Civil Code §789.3), a landlord generally cannot cut off or interfere with your utilities — including water, heat, electricity, or gas — in order to force you out.
This holds even if you're behind on rent. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the court's unlawful detainer process. California law treats utility shutoffs as a form of self-help eviction and provides tenants protections when it happens.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- A landlord generally can't shut off utilities to pressure you out, even if rent is owed (Civil Code §789.3).
- The only lawful way to remove a tenant is the court process plus a sheriff's lockout.
- If it happens, keeping a record — what was shut off, and when — can matter.
Where to Get Help
Where to Turn If Your Utilities Are Shut Off
A utility shutoff meant to force you out is a different situation from a court eviction — instead of defending a case, the tenant may be the one who has to file their own lawsuit, and it’s time-sensitive. Many tenants facing this reach out to a licensed California attorney, a tenant-rights organization, or a legal aid organization to understand their options.