If a tenant provides a police report indicating domestic abuse, what is the landlord's obligation regarding the lease?

When a tenant provides a police report indicating domestic abuse, the landlord is obligated to release her from the lease without penalty. This obligation is rooted in tenant protection laws that recognize the vulnerability of individuals experiencing domestic violence. The law typically requires that upon presentation of such documentation, the tenant should not be held accountable for remaining in a lease that poses a risk to their safety and well-being.

This protection serves to prevent further trauma and allows the tenant to seek safety and stability without the burden of additional financial penalties such as remaining rent due or forfeiting their security deposit. The timeline specified—releasing the tenant from the lease within 30 days—helps ensure that legal processes respect the tenant's need for timely action in what are often urgent and sensitive circumstances related to domestic abuse.