Urbana — Ch. 12.5 Landlord-Tenant Relationships § 12.5-25
Unlawful eviction
Operative Text
(a) It is unlawful for any landlord or any person acting at the direction of the landlord to knowingly oust or dispossess or attempt to oust or dispossess any tenant from a rental unit without authority of law, by plugging, changing, adding or removing any lock or latching device; or by blocking any entrance into said rental unit; or by removing any door or window from said unit; or by interfering with the services to said unit, including but not limited to, electricity, gas, hot or cold water, plumbing, heat or telephone service; or by removing a tenant's personal property from said unit; or by the use of force or threat of violence, injury or force to a tenant's person or property; or by any other act rendering a rental unit or any part thereof or any personal property located therein inaccessible or uninhabitable. (b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply where the landlord acts pursuant to a court order for possession. (c) If the tenant, in a civil legal proceeding against the landlord, establishes that a violation of this section has occurred, the tenant shall be entitled to recover possession of the rental unit or personal property and shall recover an amount equal to not more than two (2) months' rent or the actual damages sustained, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees.
Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-25 prohibits landlords and anyone acting on their behalf from forcing a tenant out of a rental unit through self-help methods — such as changing locks, blocking entrances, removing doors or windows, cutting off utilities, removing personal property, or using threats and force — without a court order authorizing it. The only recognized exception is when a landlord acts under a valid court order for possession. A tenant who proves a violation in civil court may recover possession of the unit or property, plus damages equal to the greater of two months' rent or actual damages, along with reasonable attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-25 generally ensure that any effort to regain possession of a rental unit proceeds exclusively through the formal court process, never through physical or utility-based self-help measures. Compliant property managers maintain all locks, utilities, doors, and windows in their normal condition throughout any tenancy dispute until a court order for possession is obtained. Keeping clear records of court proceedings and avoiding any instruction to staff or agents that could constitute an attempt to oust a tenant without legal authority is consistent with operating under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Urbana Ch. 12.5 § 12.5-25, tenants have the right to remain in their rental unit free from lock changes, utility shutoffs, removal of doors or windows, removal of personal property, or threats of force unless a court has issued an order for possession. If a landlord or someone acting on the landlord's behalf takes any of those actions, a tenant may pursue a civil legal proceeding to recover possession of the unit or property and seek damages of up to two months' rent or actual damages — whichever is greater — plus reasonable attorney's fees. Tenant-rights organizations in Urbana can help explain the range of options available under this provision, including how to document and report potential violations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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