Final answer:
Turning off the heat to force a tenant to move out is known as constructive eviction and is generally illegal. It is a retaliation tactic some landlords might use when they are constrained by regulations like price ceilings, which can sometimes result in lower quality housing for renters.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a landlord turns off the heat to force a tenant to move out, this action can be referred to as constructive eviction. Constructive eviction occurs when a landlord fails to provide essential services or otherwise makes a rental property uninhabitable, with the effect of indirectly forcing the tenant to leave. This is often considered illegal activity and tenants may have the right to seek legal relief against such practices.
Certain laws, such as price ceilings on rent, are meant to protect renters, but they can lead to unintended consequences. For example, landlords may be incentivized to convert rental properties into co-ops or condos, or they may provide less maintenance on essentials like heating, which can degrade the quality of housing. This reflects the basic economic principle that there is an opportunity cost to everything; if housing is priced below what the market requires, it can lead to lower quality amenities for renters.