State Laws
Tenant lock out
If a tenant does not pay the rent, in most states you are not allowed to lock her out. Generally, a landlord is not allowed to use "self help" to evict a tenant. You may not lock out, throw out, cut off utilities (power & water), or take the law into your own hands in any way. You must use the judicial process: you must sue the tenant in court, giving her notice (a "summons") of the lawsuit and a chance to defend herself. If you win and obtain a "judgment," and the tenant still won't get out, you may then have the sheriff or marshal physically throw the tenant out.

Make sure that your apartment managers understand this. If one of them uses self help, you are likely to be sued by the tenant.

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