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 Nevada, landlords are prohibited from willfully interrupting essential services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, and other utilities like internet, telephone, and cable television to a residential tenant, except for legitimate reasons such as repairs, construction, or emergencies. This prohibition is in place to prevent landlords from using utility shutoffs as a method for evicting tenants or forcing them to pay overdue rent or utility bills. Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) specifically address these issues, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. If a landlord unlawfully interrupts a tenant's utilities, the tenant may have legal recourse, which can include restoring the service, seeking damages, and in some cases, obtaining injunctive relief. It is important for both landlords and tenants in Nevada to understand their legal obligations and rights under the state's landlord-tenant laws.