Can a domestic violence victim end a lease early in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a tenant who is a victim of an intrafamily offense, or the parent or guardian of a minor victim, is released from the rental agreement by giving the housing provider written notice with a copy of a civil protection order issued on the tenant’s petition or documentation signed by a qualified third party showing the offense was reported, effective 14 days after the housing provider receives both or when a new tenancy for the unit begins, whichever is earlier. A qualified third party is a law enforcement officer, a sworn officer of the D.C. Housing Authority Office of Public Safety, a health professional or a domestic violence counselor, acting in an official capacity. The request must be made within 90 days of the reported act, event or circumstance. Notwithstanding any lease penalty, the tenant owes only rent prorated to the earlier of the date the unit is rented to a new tenant or 14 days after the request, and remains liable for delinquent rent or other sums owed before the lease was terminated. This is D.C. Code § 42-3505.07.
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Ending the lease early | Released 14 days after notice with an order or report |
What the statute says
“… provides a housing provider with documentation signed by a qualified third party showing that the tenant has reported the intrafamily offense to the third party acting in his or her official capacity, the tenant shall be released from obligations under the rental agreement.”
Quoted word for word from the section’s text.
Source
D.C. Code § 42-3505.07
Read the statute in the Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council): code.dccouncil.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 15, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora keeps every lease’s term, rent and signers in one record and dates every change to it. This page states the state’s rule so a lease’s own early-termination and sublet clauses can be checked against it before the lease is signed.
Guides on this rule
- Breaking a Lease for Domestic Violence: Laws by State — How a domestic violence victim can end a lease early, with the notice, documents and rent rule in each of the 39 jurisdictions with a statute.
Compare this rule in every state
More District of Columbia rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in District of Columbia?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in District of Columbia?
- Does a landlord need a reason to evict a tenant in District of Columbia?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in District of Columbia?
- What are squatters’ rights in District of Columbia?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?
- Is there rent control in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in District of Columbia?
- Can a tenant sublet in District of Columbia?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in District of Columbia?
- What can a landlord do with a tenant’s belongings left behind in District of Columbia?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in District of Columbia?
- Do you need a general contractor license in District of Columbia?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in District of Columbia?
- Do you need a license to work as a plumber in District of Columbia?
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license or registration in District of Columbia?
- Can you use a transfer-on-death deed in District of Columbia?
- How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in District of Columbia?
- What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in District of Columbia?
- Does a home seller have to disclose the property’s condition in District of Columbia?
- What is the real estate transfer tax in District of Columbia?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in District of Columbia?
- Is appliance repair taxable in District of Columbia?
- Every District of Columbia rule on one page