Except under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, a landlord generally may not interrupt utilities provided to a residential tenant—such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, security systems, and in some areas, trash collection—unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction, or an emergency.

A landlord generally may not shut off utilities to a residential tenant because the tenant is late in paying for the utilities. Laws vary from state to state, and laws related to a landlord’s interruption of a residential tenant’s utility services are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Missouri, landlords are prohibited from intentionally interrupting a tenant's utilities as a form of eviction or to force a tenant to leave the rental property. This includes utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, and security systems. Missouri law considers such actions as 'self-help' evictions, which are illegal. Landlords must follow the legal eviction process if they wish to remove a tenant from the property. The only exceptions to this rule are when utility interruptions are necessary for repairs, construction, or in response to an emergency situation. If a landlord unlawfully interrupts a tenant's utilities, the tenant may have legal recourse, which can include restoring the service, recovering damages, and in some cases, penalties against the landlord. It is important for both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and obligations under Missouri's landlord-tenant laws to ensure compliance and avoid legal disputes.