Interruption of utility service or restriction of tenant access to collect rent is permitted only under which condition?

• A. Never allowed
• B. If the tenant is late on rent
• C. Only after lawful eviction
• D. Only with consent

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that landlords may not use self-help methods to force payment or regain possession. Shutting off utilities or locking a tenant out without going through the proper legal process is not allowed. The only time a landlord can take action to reclaim the property is after obtaining a court-ordered eviction. Once a judge issues an eviction order (and, if needed, law enforcement enforces it), possession can be regained through the lawful process. This protects tenants from losing essential services or being locked out without due process.

Other options don’t fit because late rent does not authorize shutting off utilities, and consent cannot override the legal requirement for an eviction procedure. Saying “never allowed” would ignore the lawful eviction pathway that exists.