When water and electricity are cut off, locks are changed, or you’re threatened to leave — call the police right away: laws forbid using these tactics to force you out
Original: eternity4719 · source details
Original author: eternity4719 · Chinese source: · English adaptation: parveen0029. Translation and grade notes ↗
Bibliographic titles are retained in their original language.
Source author's views and grades; not individually verified by this site.
Cost and benefit at a glance
- Check the cost Cost ↓
- No cost at all. Just make a phone call to the police and they’ll be there immediately.
- Then the source benefit Benefit ↓
- Administrative regulations make it clear: “Landlords may not use violence, threats, or any other illegal means to compel tenants to terminate a housing lease or vacate the premises…
In plain terms
Landlords are strictly prohibited by law from cutting off utilities, changing locks, or threatening tenants to end a lease or force them to move out. If this happens to you, call the police right away. The police report serves as proof if you later seek compensation for any losses. Do not attempt to confront the landlord on your own.
This guide's cartoon · show illustration
Enlarge illustrationOriginal illustration with Chinese lettering; the English dialogue is below. Humour is a reading aid, not evidence.
English dialogue
- We agreed verbally.
- Where is that written?
Cost: what it takes
No cost at all. Just make a phone call to the police and they’ll be there immediately.
Benefit: what the source reports
Administrative regulations make it clear: “Landlords may not use violence, threats, or any other illegal means to compel tenants to terminate a housing lease or vacate the premises.” Eviction means being forced to move out. In such situations, call the police and preserve all evidence — do not take matters into your own hands.
Conditions, limits and disagreements
Calling the police ensures you obtain an official report. This report becomes crucial evidence if you later file a claim for damages. Also be sure to notify your local housing authority.
Original references
Original bibliographic titles and links are preserved; some titles are in Chinese.
国务院 (2025). 住房租赁条例（国令第 812 号，2025 年 9 月 15 日施行）（第十二条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202507/content_7032956.htm
Medical, legal, financial and policy conditions vary by person, place and time. Policy material primarily concerns mainland China; check the cited document and current local requirements.