Pennsylvania Lockouts and utility shutoffs

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

There is no Pennsylvania statute expressly banning lockouts in the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.). Reviewed by full-text search. AG guidance (labelled, not law): the Attorney General's guide says self-help eviction is prohibited and the landlord may not change the locks or shut off utilities, but must use the court process.

Verified Source: the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.) · last checked 2026-10-23