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 Virginia, landlords are prohibited from deliberately interrupting a tenant's utilities as a form of eviction or to force payment of overdue rent or utility bills. This includes essential services such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, telephone, cable television, and security systems. The relevant regulations are outlined in the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Landlords are only permitted to interrupt these services for legitimate reasons such as repairs, construction, or emergencies, and they must provide reasonable notice when such interruptions are necessary. If a landlord unlawfully interrupts a tenant's utility services, the tenant may have legal recourse, which can include restoring the service, seeking damages, and in some cases, obtaining a court order to prevent the landlord from further interruptions. It's important for both landlords and tenants to understand these regulations to ensure compliance and to protect their respective rights.