Alaska Stat. § 34.03. § 34.03.210
Tenant's remedies for landlord's unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service
Operative Text
If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or wilfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of electric, gas, water, sanitary, 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 to exceed one and one-half times the actual damages. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and security deposits recoverable by the tenant under AS 34.03.070.
Alaska Statute AS 34.03 § 34.03.210 addresses situations where a landlord unlawfully locks out a tenant or deliberately cuts off essential utilities such as electricity, gas, or water. Under this provision, a tenant who experiences such conduct may either reclaim possession of the rental unit or end the rental agreement entirely. In either scenario, the tenant is entitled to recover damages up to one and one-half times the actual harm suffered, and if the agreement is terminated, the landlord must return prepaid rent and any recoverable security deposits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under AS 34.03 § 34.03.210, compliant property owners and managers ensure that tenants are never removed from a unit through informal or self-help means, and that essential utility services—including electricity, gas, water, and sanitary services—are never intentionally interrupted as a way to pressure or displace a tenant. Operators who follow this rule rely exclusively on formal legal processes, such as court-ordered eviction proceedings, when seeking to end a tenancy. Violations of this provision expose a landlord to liability for up to one and one-half times the tenant's actual damages, plus the obligation to return prepaid rent and security deposits if the rental agreement is terminated.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
AS 34.03 § 34.03.210 gives tenants specific remedies if a landlord unlawfully locks them out or deliberately shuts off essential services like gas, water, or electricity. A tenant in this situation may have the right to reclaim possession of the unit or to terminate the rental agreement and seek damages of up to one and one-half times actual losses, along with the return of prepaid rent and security deposits. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated can explore options such as raising the violation in a court proceeding, contacting Alaska's tenant-rights organizations, or consulting with a legal aid office familiar with AS 34.03 § 34.03.210.
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 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation