# Tenant won't leave? Don't cut the power.

> In Punjab, cutting a tenant's utilities without just cause breaks the law. The right door is the Rent Tribunal.

- Topic: Property and inheritance
- For: Citizens
- A 8-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/tenant-wont-leave-dont-cut-the-power
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-10

## Cutting the power is against the law.

In Punjab a landlord shall not cut off utilities without just or sufficient cause. The Rent Tribunal can order them restored.

> "Subject to the tenancy agreement, a landlord shall not (a) cut off, suspend or withhold, without just or sufficient cause, an amenity, utility or easement of the premises" (Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009 · Section 12(2))

## The right door: the Rent Tribunal.

A landlord may seek eviction on these grounds (Section 15).

- **Tenancy period expired**
- **Rent not paid** Within 30 days after it was due.
- **Agreement or duties breached** Including the tenant's duties in s.13.
- **Wrong use or sub-letting** Without prior written consent.

## Put it in writing.

Premises can only be let by a tenancy agreement, presented before the Rent Registrar (Section 5).

- **Registrar enters it and seals it** And returns the original to the landlord.
- **It proves the tenancy** The entered agreement is proof of landlord and tenant (s.5(5)).

## The tenant has 10 days.

A tenant cannot defend an eviction case without leave to contest.

- **File: Eviction application** Before the Rent Tribunal.
- **10 days: Tenant asks leave to contest** From first appearance (s.22(2)). Decided within 15 days.
- **If refused or late: Final order** Section 22(6).

## Rent keeps coming in.

While the case runs, the Tribunal directs the tenant to deposit the rent. If they fail, it passes the final order at once (Section 24).

- **Rent deposited** In the landlord's bank account or in the Tribunal.
- **Utility bills too** The Tribunal directs the tenant to pay them.

## Check your case. Free.

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

- **My tenant has not paid rent for 4 months and will not leave. What can I do in Lahore?**
- **My landlord cut our electricity to force us out. Is that legal?**

## What this does not mean

- This covers the Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, so it is about rented premises in Punjab.
- The bar is on cutting off utilities without just or sufficient cause, and it is subject to the tenancy agreement (s.12(2)).
- A tenant cannot defend an eviction case without leave to contest, sought within 10 days of first appearance (s.22(2)).

## Questions people ask

### Can a landlord cut the electricity of a tenant in Punjab?

No. Under section 12(2) of the Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, a landlord shall not cut off utilities without just or sufficient cause. The Rent Tribunal can order them restored.

### How can a landlord evict a tenant in Punjab?

By applying to the Rent Tribunal under section 15, on grounds such as the tenancy period expiring, rent not paid, breach of the agreement or duties, or wrong use or sub-letting without prior written consent.

### How to evict a tenant who is not paying rent in Pakistan?

In Punjab, non-payment of rent within 30 days after it was due is a ground for eviction under section 15. The application goes to the Rent Tribunal.

### Does a rent agreement need to be registered in Punjab?

Under section 5, premises can only be let by a tenancy agreement presented before the Rent Registrar, who enters and seals it. The entered agreement is proof of the landlord and tenant relationship (s.5(5)).

### Does the tenant have to pay rent while the eviction case runs?

Yes. The Tribunal directs the tenant to deposit the rent and pay utility bills. If the tenant fails, it passes the final order at once (s.24).

## Sources

- Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009 · Section 12(2): Obligations of landlord

---

Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review.

FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.