13. Can the owner lock me out?

An owner who wants you to move cannot legally lock you out of your apartment or house -- or remove your belongings or any doors or windows. And, an owner cannot legally turn off the gas, electricity, heat or water. If one of these things happen, you can take the owner to court. If you win the case, the owner will have to pay for any damage that occurred. For instance, maybe food spoiled in your refrigerator while the electricity was off. And the owner may have to pay you up to $100 for each day that the utilities were turned off or at least $250 for every law that was broken. The owner also may have to pay for your lawyer. However, if you lose the case, you may have to pay for the owner's lawyer.