STATE HOUSE – With support from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sen. Melissa Murray and Rep. Karen Alzate have announced legislation that would enable abuse survivors to terminate rental leases for the sake of their protection.
The legislation would allow tenants who are survivors of abuse to terminate a rental lease early without penalty or liability for rent. The bill would also establish a process for abuse survivors to request that their landlords change their locks.
“For many survivors of abuse, the economics of escape, particularly during the housing crisis in our state, seem utterly impossible,” said Murray, a Democrat who represents District 24 in North Smithfield and Woonsocket. “With this bill, Rhode Island can make it a little easier for them. Their lease should not have to be a concern when they need to protect themselves or their family from abuse.”
Under the legislation, which has been forwarded to the Judiciary committees of both the House and Senate, a person who has been the victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or whose household member has, would have the right to terminate their lease early if they are in fear of their safety. The renter would need to provide written verification, such as from a law enforcement official, attorney, health care provider, social worker, therapist or advocate, that they’ve been a victim of abuse. The Secretary of State’s office would also make a self-certification form available at no charge.
The tenant would then have 30 days to vacate the premises and be entitled to a refund of any prepaid rent or applicable security deposit.
The sponsors were joined by advocates from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence this week at a State House event in support of the legislation.
RICADV Executive Director Lucy Rios said the bill would provide clarity for landlords and would help prevent escalating violence at rental properties.
“The Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act is about safety, fairness and saving lives,” said Rios. “Right now, a survivor’s ability to leave an unsafe home depends entirely on who they rent from, and that is not just.”
“This bill creates a clear, confidential process that allows survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to leave dangerous situations without facing penalties, eviction or financial ruin,” Rios added. “Survivors have gone without these protections for far too long. Rhode Island should join every other New England state and the 41 states nationwide that already have this protection in place, ensuring that safety is never out of reach because of a lease.”
Alzate noted that no one should have to stay in and abusive situation because of their lease.
“There are many roadblocks that prevent survivors from leaving abusive situations, and leases can be one of them,” said Alzate, a Democrat from District 60 in Pawtucket and Central Falls. “Our bill would provide a legal path for those who need to break their lease to flee abuse, so that it will be one less obstacle standing in the way of their safety.”
As written, the bill would also provide a process by which a victim can request that their landlord change their locks to protect them from an abuser. If the threat of abuse is coming from a co-tenant, the victim would need to provide a copy of a valid protective order against the co-tenant or a record from law enforcement indicating that the co-tenant poses a threat of abuse. Landlords would then need to make a good faith effort to change the lock within two days or give the tenant permission to do it, and not provide the key to the perpetrator.
The proponents noted that most other states, including Massachusetts, offer some protection to abuse survivors when they need to terminate a lease.
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