Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2563
Unlawful removal or exclusion of tenant; diminished services; damages; security deposit.
Operative Text
If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or willfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water or other essential service to the tenant, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not more than one and one-half (1½) months' periodic rent or the damages sustained by the tenant, whichever is greater. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return that portion of the security deposit recoverable by the tenant under K.S.A. 58-2550.
Under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2563, a landlord who unlawfully locks out a tenant or deliberately cuts off essential utilities such as electricity, gas, or water is prohibited from doing so as a means of forcing a tenant out. When such conduct occurs, the tenant has the option either to reclaim possession of the rental unit or to end the rental agreement entirely. In either scenario, the tenant is entitled to recover the greater of up to one and one-half months' periodic rent or the actual damages suffered, and if the agreement is terminated, the landlord must return any portion of the security deposit the tenant is owed under K.S.A. 58-2550.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2563 generally ensure that all essential utility services—electricity, gas, water, and similar services—remain uninterrupted for tenants throughout the tenancy, regardless of any payment disputes or lease disagreements. Compliant property managers rely exclusively on lawful legal processes, such as formal eviction proceedings, rather than self-help measures like changing locks or shutting off utilities. Maintaining thorough records of utility account management and any communications with tenants about service issues is a practice commonly associated with compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2563 gives tenants whose landlord has unlawfully locked them out or deliberately cut off essential services the right to choose between reclaiming possession of the unit or terminating the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant may seek to recover the greater of up to one and one-half months' rent or actual damages sustained, and a terminated agreement triggers the landlord's obligation to return the applicable portion of the security deposit. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider documenting the disruption, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring available civil court remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation