JJ Ben-JosephCalculate potential compensation for wrongful or illegal eviction including actual damages, moving costs, emotional distress, and statutory penalties. This calculator helps tenants estimate their claim value for illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, and other self-help eviction methods.
This calculator helps tenants estimate potential civil damages from an alleged wrongful or illegal eviction. It is an educational tool only. It cannot predict what a judge, jury, or settlement negotiation will actually award in your specific case.
Wrongful eviction (also called illegal or self-help eviction) generally means a landlord forces a tenant out without following the formal court eviction process required in that area.
If you are in immediate danger or being physically threatened, contact local law enforcement or emergency services right away.
The on-page calculator focuses on a core group of damage categories that are common in wrongful eviction cases. It uses the values you enter to estimate a rough claim value, not a guaranteed outcome.
Actual damages (user input)
These are direct, out-of-pocket financial losses such as:
Moving and storage costs (user input)
Because some laws treat moving/storage separately, the calculator asks for this amount on its own line. Examples:
Do not include these costs again in the “Actual Damages” field to avoid double counting.
State statutory damage multiplier (user selection)
Many tenant-protection statutes allow courts to multiply the tenant’s economic damages. Common examples:
Emotional distress severity (user selection)
The calculator approximates an emotional distress amount based on the severity you select. A typical range might look like:
In simplified form, the calculator applies this structure:
Where:
The tool does not automatically calculate punitive damages or attorney fees. Those are discussed below as additional categories courts sometimes award.
In especially egregious cases (for example, repeated illegal lockouts, violence, or clear retaliation), a court may award punitive damages to punish the landlord and deter similar conduct. These can sometimes equal or exceed compensatory damages, but they are highly discretionary and vary by jurisdiction.
Many wrongful eviction or tenant-protection statutes allow a prevailing tenant to recover reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs. These amounts can be substantial — often several thousand dollars or more — but are typically determined by the court based on billing records and local norms.
Because these figures depend heavily on your lawyer’s rates and how long the case lasts, the calculator does not try to estimate them.
Wrongful eviction rules are state- and sometimes city-specific. Examples of how laws may differ:
The brief state examples you sometimes see online (such as California, New York, Texas, Florida) are illustrations only and may change over time. Always check current law or speak with a lawyer in your area.
The output of this calculator is best viewed as a starting point for conversation, not a promised settlement or judgment.
Suppose a tenant is illegally locked out and must stay in a hotel for two weeks while also losing some personal property.
Plugging into the formula:
In this simplified example, the calculator would estimate a total of $12,800 in potential damages, not including any punitive damages or attorney fees a court might later award.
| Scenario | Typical Damage Components | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal lockout (locks changed without court order) | Actual damages, moving/storage, statutory multiplier, emotional distress | Courts often look at how long the lockout lasted and whether belongings were affected. |
| Utility shutoff (heat, water, electricity cut off) | Actual damages (alternative housing), statutory penalties, emotional distress | Some statutes treat utility shutoffs as a separate violation with specific penalties. |
| Physical removal or destruction of belongings | Property loss, moving/storage, possible multiplier, emotional distress | Keeping inventories, photos, and receipts is critical to proving value. |
| Threats and harassment to force move-out | Emotional distress, some out-of-pocket costs, possible punitive damages | Document texts, emails, voicemails, and witness statements whenever possible. |
Most wrongful eviction disputes resolve through negotiation rather than a full trial.
Use the calculator result as a way to understand the rough size of your potential claim, not as a minimum number you are guaranteed to receive.
This content is designed primarily for tenants who believe they have been locked out or forced out unlawfully. Landlords, property managers, and others should not rely on this page as a substitute for individualized legal advice.
Consider speaking with a housing or tenant-rights attorney promptly if:
If you cannot afford a lawyer, look for legal aid organizations, tenant unions, or bar association referral services in your area. Many offer free or low-cost help for qualified tenants.
This calculator and the surrounding text are for general information and educational purposes only. They are not legal advice, do not create an attorney–client relationship, and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state or locality for advice about your specific situation.
A: Immediately document the eviction with photos and witnesses. Seek emergency housing if needed. Contact a tenant rights attorney or local legal aid organization. Do not abandon your belongings. You may have the right to be restored to the property.
A: Yes. Illegal eviction may constitute a criminal act in some states. Police can help document the incident and may restore you to the property. However, they cannot resolve landlord-tenant disputes, so you'll still need legal action.
A: The statute of limitations varies by state, typically ranging from 1-3 years. However, you should act quickly to preserve evidence and potentially get restored to the property.
A: Even if you owe rent, the landlord cannot use self-help eviction methods. They must go through the proper legal eviction process in court. Owing rent doesn't give them the right to lock you out.
A: Generally, compensatory damages for actual losses are not taxable. However, punitive damages are typically taxable income. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
A: In many states, you can seek an emergency court order to be restored to the property. This must be done quickly, ideally within days of the eviction. An attorney can help file for emergency relief.
Legal Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wrongful eviction laws vary significantly by state and jurisdiction. Actual damages depend on many factors including specific state statutes, the severity of the landlord's conduct, and the strength of your evidence. Consult with a qualified tenant rights attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. Some jurisdictions may award significantly higher or lower damages than estimated here.