Illegal evictions are an unfortunate reality for some tenants, however tenants have legal rights and protections to safeguard them against an illegal eviction. Examples of illegal evictions include ﾓlock outs,ﾔ where a landlord changes the locks or otherwise restricts entry to the property, and ﾓshut offs,ﾔ where a landlord disconnects utilities such as water or electricity in order to force tenants out of the property. Landlords may also try to physically remove tenants from the property, sometimes resorting to violence; this is also illegal. The only way a landlord can legally evict a tenant is by obtaining a court order. Evicting a tenant without a court order is always illegal. A tenant who has been subjected to an illegal eviction may be able to sue the landlord for up to three times the damages suffered. Tenants who have been illegally evicted should keep detailed records, including photos of any damaged property, police reports, and witness interviews to use in court.