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sbriggs · Jun 2, 2008, 03:06 PM

So we are being evicted,we have a court date set for June 19.My landlord calls today and tells us he is having the electric turned off on Wednesday! Can he do this? Will the electric co. come out and shut it off? What should I do??
Please help!:(

LisaB4657 · Jun 2, 2008, 03:13 PM

It is illegal for the landlord to have the utilities shut off in order to force you to move out. First call the electric company to see if you can have the account put in your name until the eviction is resolved. (If the landlord is responsible for providing you with electricity at his cost then you can deduct your costs from the amount that you owe the landlord.)

If the electric company can't help then I suggest that you call the police and tell them that the landlord is trying to do an illegal eviction.

Fr_Chuck · Jun 2, 2008, 03:18 PM

I can understand the landlords feeling, esp if he is paying the electric and you are not paying the rent, he is actually having to pay money out and has nothing coming in.

So if this is the case, you should at least pay now for the electric you have used. But no, legally he can not do that, and if you notify the electric company you are in the middle of the eviction, they normally will not turn it off.

sbriggs · Jun 2, 2008, 03:25 PM

Thank you everyone.. I did call the electric co. and they have noted my account,they took his name and said that NO one will be turning off the electric and they won't turn it off if there is someone in the rental when they come anyway.They are going to make a case file and post it in the notes!
Thanks for the help! I just love this site!

sbriggs · Jun 2, 2008, 03:26 PM

Should I call the police anyway? He keeps shutting off the water as well.

LisaB4657 · Jun 2, 2008, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by sbriggs

should I call the police anyway? he keeps shutting off the water as well.

Absolutely. What he's doing is illegal. When you appear in court for your eviction hearing, ask the judge for permission to file a countersuit for damages for illegal eviction. Your landlord could end up owing you money.

(Make sure you get a police report on the water issue, and get something in writing from the electric co. to show that the landlord tried to have the electricity shut off. Bring those to court with you.)