Pennsylvania Lockouts and utility shutoffs

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Pennsylvania?

The PA Attorney General's guide says landlord self-help eviction is prohibited. The landlord may not change the locks or shut off utilities to start an eviction and must use the court process instead.

Verified Source: PA Office of Attorney General, Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights (v1.1, June 13, 2022), via archive.org · last checked 2026-10-15