![]() The law: No landlord may willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service being supplied to the tenant, except for temporary interruptions for emergency repairs. What to do if the landlord shuts off your utilities If repairs are needed because you caused damage when you broke in, notify your landlord of the needed repairs. Send your landlord a letter to notify him that you were unlawfully denied access to your home, so you broke in after notifying law enforcement of your intent to do so. ![]() If you do not have money to pay for a locksmith or you cannot provide the locksmith with sufficient proof of your right to enter the unit, after informing law enforcement of your intent to enter your home through forcible means, break into your home. If you are required to give your landlord a copy of your key under the terms of your rental agreement, give your landlord a copy of the key along with the letter.you changed the locks and plan to deduct the cost of the lock change from your next month’s rent.you were unlawfully denied access to your home,.The locksmith is likely to request verification from law enforcement that it is permissible for them to provide you access to the unit. If you have the money to pay a locksmith, call for emergency service to have a lock changed so that you have a key. If you have left belongings after you moved out, the landlord has to follow the laws about storing them for you. 9 V.S.A.The landlord cannot take your belongings because you owe rent.The landlord cannot lock up your personal property so that you can’t get it.The RRAA makes it illegal for a landlord to keep your belongings from you. If water is being shut off because the landlord didn’t pay the bill that is illegal eviction.If heat is included in rent, the landlord can’t let heating fuel run out.The landlord cannot call the power company, propane company, gas company or water supplier and tell them to shut off service.The landlord cannot flip electrical circuit breakers or pull fuses.This is true even if the landlord is paying for the service. The RRAA makes it illegal for your landlord to cause any utility to be shut off temporarily or permanently. The landlord can’t make you share space or rooms with another tenant, if that wasn’t included in the rental agreement in the first place.The landlord cannot change your access to the basement, entry hall, garage or storage shed, if you had access to those before.The landlord cannot move doors or walls to change the size of your unit.The landlord cannot change the locks to your unit.The Residential Rental Agreements Act (RRAA) makes it illegal for the landlord to take away your access to your unit or any part of the premises that you rent. It is illegal for your landlord to force you out by changing the locks, shutting off the utilities or removing your personal belongings. You can also sue your landlord for your damages from the illegal eviction. You can ask for a court order to force your landlord to give you back possession of your rental, to have your utilities turned back on, or to have your personal property returned to you. You can sue your landlord for illegal eviction. The law allows any tenant who sustains damage or injury as a result of an illegal eviction may bring an action for injunctive relief, damages, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees. For a more detailed description of what the landlord must do, see our page about the notice to terminate tenancy and our page about the court process for eviction. “Self-help” eviction is illegal in Vermont. And, if the court makes an order, it will be the sheriff - not the landlord - who will come to make you leave. Court process includes you getting served with court papers, a chance to answer in writing, and if you answer in time, a hearing before a judge. It is not legal for a landlord to put you out without court process. The landlord cannot cause the electric, water, or heat to be shut off. The law prohibits a landlord from physically carrying you or your belongings out, or changing the locks so you can’t get in. Habitability and Heating in Rental Housing: Free resources available in Vermont to fix problems.COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis and your utilities.
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