Eviction & moving out
Can my landlord change the locks on me?
Not to keep you out. Locking out a tenant without a court-ordered eviction is illegal self-help in every state - even if rent is unpaid.
Unpaid rent gives a landlord a legal claim, not the right to seize the home back. The lock change that matters legally is the one that happens after a sheriff executes an eviction judgment - anything earlier is unlawful.
A few states let landlords in certain circumstances change locks for non-payment with strict conditions (like Texas, which still requires giving you a new key on request and never as permanent exclusion). Everywhere, permanent lockout without court is out of bounds.
General educational information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and city and change over time - for a specific situation, contact a local tenant-rights organization.