Will I be charged any fees or penalties?
No. A victim would not be responsible for future rent or fees related to breaking the lease. There is special language that must be in the lease before the landlord can collect any unpaid rent or other money that was already owed before the lease was terminated. The lease must say, “Tenants may have special statutory rights to terminate the lease early in certain situations involving family violence or a military deployment or transfer.” However, If the lease does not have this language in it, then the victim is not liable for unpaid rent that was due at the time the victim terminated their lease.
What if the victim lives with me, are we eligible?
The victim must be living in your home with the landlord’s consent in order to be protected under the law.
What if my landlord doesn’t allow it?
Landlords who do not allow the tenant to break the lease or who attempt to place barriers, conditions, or restrictions on the victim are breaking the law and are subject to a civil penalty of one month’s rent plus $500, damages, and they must pay the victim’s attorneys’ fee.
Can a landlord make a lease that does not allow a family violence victim to break the lease?
No. A victim cannot waive her right to vacate.
