Domestic violence victims can end lease duties with documented abuse

Eligible tenants can end their future lease duties without early termination penalties or fees. Both the victim and the abuser must be leaseholders on the same property. The abuse must be documented by a restraining order, a protection order, or the abuser’s conviction. The tenant must give written notice and supporting documentation within sixty days after the documented incident. The tenant must give up possession and pay rent and other amounts owed through the termination date. The tenant remains responsible for damage they caused. Any refundable security deposit need not be returned until the lease ends. Termination must fall within sixty days of the documented incident. The notice must set a date at least thirty days after the landlord receives it, unless the landlord agrees in writing to an earlier date.

Landlords cannot retaliate against eligible tenants for ending their lease duties under this law. These rules cover victims with documented abuse whose abusers also lease the property. Landlords and owners are protected from liability for ending or changing a lease under this law when they rely in good faith on the tenant’s documentation. The tenant and landlord may agree to end the tenant’s lease duties earlier. Landlords may still seek payment or other relief for damage the tenant caused or allowed someone present with the tenant’s permission to cause. The protection against being forced to leave lasts through sixty days after the qualifying incident.

Other tenants on the lease remain responsible for the full rent after the victim ends their lease duties. The rent requirement covers other tenants on the victim’s lease for the rest of its term. The landlord can use this termination option only if the abuser is the sole tenant still obligated under the lease. The landlord may collect actual losses caused by that termination from the abuser. Ending the remaining abuser’s lease requires five days’ written notice.