Still, you probably can't lock the breaker box. That'd be a code violation--a violation of your city or county's regulations--and your roommates could get you in trouble for that. Also, the breaker box belongs to the landlord, not you.
The bottom line, though, is that you have to move. Your living situation is rapidly moving from unpleasant to impossible.
Hope that helps.
You are all on the same lease so you are all equals. NO one roommate has any power over other roommates. No roommate has any right to charge any other roommate for jack sheit unless you have a separate roommate agreement stating who will mow or pay what bills. You also have no right to deny them access to any utilities. Yes roommates should split cost for utilities but there are no laws requiring it. There are no laws that dictate how any roommate is to treat another roommate. The only thing that would legally require any payment to a roommate for anything is a separate roommate agreement. Technically they are not legally required to pay anything for utilities unless you have that agreement in writing.
It sounds like you all need to grow up & start acting like adults.
No, it is actually a federal crime to deny water, electricity and heat. You need to obtain a court order for that, and that isn't going to happen. If you lock the breaker box you will be arrested, with multiple charges against you.
Now the cable and internet are not protected by federal law, you can legally deny those 2 things. Just leave water and power alone. Those laws are strictly enforced.
1. No you cannot.
2. They can't charge you to mow the lawn. They really can't charge you for anything.
You can certainly change the passwords for the cable/internet. You can't shut off power, water, etc.
Does your lease state they have to mow the lawn? If not then it is your responsibility since you are basically (I'm assuming) their landlord. Does their lease state they have to pay a percentage of the utilities? If so you can sue them for not doing so, and they can sue you for not mowing..
Can't do it, not legal. You cannot deny anyone on the lease access to necessary utilities.
Alternatively, they cannot impose a fee upon you unless it is agreed to in writing.
As it stands, if they don't pay, you could sue them for their portions, BUT...
It sounds like you all need to handle this like adults. This is a roommate situation, and it need not spiral down to pettiness, fines, and taking the electricity hostage.
Change intrnt password, yes. But I don't know physically how you'd shut off their gas, electricity and water without shutting off your own - no you can't legallythrow breakers and lock the box.
All of the utilities are in my name, but we are all on the lease so I cannot kick them out. They have decided they are no longer giving me cash for the utilities, but also, they are paying a small fraction of what they owe because they have taken it upon themselves to find superfluous things to charge me for and take it out of the utilities. They won't take it out of rent because that would only harm themselves since the landlord cares not how the rent is paid as long as it is paid, and I will not pay any of their rent. They are now charging $50 for mowing the lawn this week and every week from here on, even though I have mowed the lawn several times. Can I legally deny them use of my utilities? I will not accept their partial payments via check and lock up the breaker box and change the cable/internet passwords. Not sure what I can do about water. Please help.
