Effective Date: August 6th, 2025
Key points:
Expanded Eligibility:
Extends existing protections—originally for victims of domestic violence or abuse—to cover tenants experiencing unlawful sexual behavior and stalking.
Expanded Verification Options:
Tenants may use a criminal protection order, self-attestation affidavit, or a letter from a qualified advocate—not just police reports or civil protection orders—as proof of victim-survivor status.
Repayment Plans for Unlawful Detention:
If a victim-survivor is accused of occupying the property illegally due to unpaid rent, landlords must offer a fee-free repayment plan within three business days; the tenant has seven days to respond or propose an alternative.
Lease Termination Without Penalty:
Victim-survivors who terminate their lease may avoid liability for damages caused by the abuser; they owe at most one month’s rent post-termination if documented economic damages are provided within 30 days.
Suppression of Court Records:
Courts must seal records of unlawful detention proceedings involving victim-survivors and may allow extended response timelines or hearings to accommodate their safety or access needs.
