Breaking Your Lease Due To Domestic Violence

Colorado housing law HB 25-1168 (effective 2025) protects victim-survivors of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual violence, so they can lawfully terminate a lease or avoid eviction when in fear of imminent danger.

Required Documentation to Terminate Lease

A tenant may terminate the lease without further obligation if they are a victim-survivor of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse, and have a fear of imminent danger. The tenant must notify the landlord in writing and provide at least one of the following forms of documentation:

1. Self-Attestation Affidavit stating:
   • They are a victim-survivor.
   • The incident is the cause for lease termination.
   • Name of the perpetrator, if known and safe to provide.
2. Letter from a Qualified Third Party, such as but not limited to:
   • Victim service provider
   • Attorney
   • Social worker
   • Medical/mental health professional
   • Faith leader
3. Police Report from the last 120 days.
4. Valid Civil or Criminal Protection Order.

Financial Responsibility After Termination

A tenant who lawfully terminates a lease under HB 25-1168:

• May not be charged any lease break or notice-related fees.
• May not be charged anything if there is a remaining tenant on the lease.
• If the victim-survivor is the only tenant on the lease:
• May not be charged more than one month’s rent, and
• Only if the landlord incurs actual economic damages due to early termination. Meaning that if the landlord re-rents before the end of the 30 days, the victim-survivor only owes the difference. Written documentation of those damages will be provided within 30 days of the tenant vacating. If no documentation is provided within this time frame, no charge is permitted.
• The tenant then has 90 days to pay the one month’s rent (if charged).

Landlords must not disclose the tenant’s status as a victim-survivor without express written consent or court order.

Breaking Your Lease Due To Military Transfer

Federal law allows active military service members to terminate a lease agreement in the case of transfer orders.

To terminate your lease due to military transfer orders, you will need to provide us with:

1. Written notice of your intent to terminate, along with a copy of your military transfer orders.
2. After delivery of this notice, the lease is considered terminated 30 days after the next rental payment is due.
3. Rent continues to be due through the 30-day period.