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View Full Version : Can I get in legal trouble...


davella
Jan 14, 2014, 11:01 AM
Can I get in legal trouble for having my utilites turned off on a not so roommate? They are supposed to leave but keep extending the date

ballengerb1
Jan 14, 2014, 01:02 PM
Is the roommate on the lease or is he subleting from you? Do not turn off anything and consider evicting him follow local laws. Where do you live?

ScottGem
Jan 14, 2014, 01:16 PM
Yes! That is generally known as an illegal eviction. And can open you for a lawsuit. If you are the home owner or leasholder, you are the landlord and they are the tenant. You have to evict them according to the laws in your area.

ballengerb1
Jan 14, 2014, 02:12 PM
If he is on the lease too you can not evict him. What all is going on?

smoothy
Jan 14, 2014, 03:26 PM
Utilites mean water, heat and electric, cut those and get in trouble... nobody has a legal right to cable TV, or internet service or free food to eat. And don't think about changing the locks until they move out on their own or are evicted.

AK lawyer
Jan 14, 2014, 05:55 PM
Smoothy, if whatever jurisdiction this is has penalties for illegal ouster by a landlord, one would have to read the statute to determine if cable & internet are included. I don't think we can make a blanket statement that a landlord (if that is what OP is) can turn them off with impunity.

smoothy
Jan 15, 2014, 04:23 AM
If there are any Jurisdictions that would include luxuries like internet and cable (outside of an apartment complex that advertizes them as being part of the lease), I for one would be very curious to know. But of course as you point out final determination is dictated by the local laws. And it would be very wise to look them up before taking any action.

Fr_Chuck
Jan 15, 2014, 04:54 AM
In some places, cable TV and internet is included in the lease. ( hehe, mine is here where I live)

ScottGem
Jan 15, 2014, 05:36 AM
As noted, if such services are included as part of the lease, cutting them off may constitute a breach of the lease.