Landlord harassment is the willing creation, by a landlord or their agents, of conditions that are uncomfortable for one or more tenants in order to induce willing abandonment of a rental contract. This is illegal in many jurisdictions, either under general harassment laws or specific protections, as well as under the terms of rental contracts or tenancy agreements. This kind of activity can be more common in regions where rent control laws apply to tenancies, with rent-controlled prices not extending to the subsequent tenancy, thus allowing landlords to set higher prices when the current tenant leaves. Harassment of tenants may include practices such as withholding maintenance, assault, verbal harassment, or written harassment. One example is sexual harassment, also known as "sex for rent". This practice involves landlords letting properties, rooms, or other accommodations to people in return for sexual favours. This issue has been raised by both UK media and MPs, with the then Secretary of State for Justice, David Lidington, suggesting that such arrangements are in breach of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, stating "... an offense is committed when a person offers accommodation in return for sex, as they are inciting/causing another person to have sex with them in return for 'payment'". Types Methods employed in cases of landlord harassment include but are not limited to the following: Withholding maintenance on the property, such as garbage collection, landscaping, or repair of broken fixtures Verbal and written complaints imagined or exaggerated, of tenant's supposed improper conduct (see eviction) Deliberate defacing of the rented facilities or the property of the tenant Creating a nuisance for the tenant (for example, by generating loud noise) Intimidation and threats of physical or financial injury directed at the tenant Physical assault or other direct criminal activity directed against the tenant Attempt to enter apartment or housing without cause, or without emergency need to check on-premises or on tenant activity Claiming emergency when no emergency exists to enter the apartment, housing, dwelling etc., without proper notice. Not letting tenant peace on property via repeated attempts to enter a dwelling. Harassment about rent not paid, or not paid in full. Disconnecting water supply or electricity, without proper notice Sexual harassment including "sex for rent" Harassment with the intention to evict a tenant "Retaliatory eviction" Protections At common law tenants were entitled to the "quiet enjoyment" of leased premises. American common law has also adopted the "warranty