Landlord's unlawful removal or exclusion of tenant, liability
A landlord cannot kick a tenant out, remove their belongings, take off the doors or locks, or shut off essential services like electricity, gas, water, or sewer without going through the courts first. A landlord who does any of these things is breaking the law. The only exception is if a landlord cuts a service for health or safety reasons.
441.233. Landlord's or exclusion of , — interruption of s, landlord's liability. — 1. Except as provided in section 441.065, a landlord or its who removes or excludes a tenant or the tenant's from the without , or causes such removal or exclusion, or causes the removal of the doors or locks to such premises, shall be guilty of as described in chapter 534.
2. Any landlord or its agent who diminishes services to a tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of essential services, including but not limited to electric, gas, water, or sewer service, to the tenant or to the premises shall be deemed guilty of forcible entry and detainer as described in chapter 534; provided however, this section shall not be applicable if a landlord or its agent takes such for health or safety reasons.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1997 H.B. 361 § 441.223)
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