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.

By Seayora Editorial Team · Published November 15, 2026 · Facts checked November 15, 2026 · 4 min read

Key takeaways

• 39 jurisdictions covered here give the right by statute.
• Written notice and documentation are usually required.
• Rent after the statute’s date is not owed.
• Many statutes require confidentiality and a lock change on request.

Can a victim of domestic violence break a lease?

Yes, in 39 jurisdictions that give the right by statute. A tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, and in many states sexual assault, stalking or dating violence, may end a residential lease early by giving written notice and documentation, and owes no rent after the date the statute sets. The details differ: the notice period, the documents accepted, and how much rent is still owed.

What documentation is usually accepted?

• A protective order or order of protection.
• A police or other law enforcement report.
• A signed statement from a qualified third party, such as a victim advocate, health care provider or counselor, where the statute allows one.

What must the landlord do?

Accept a notice that meets the statute, stop charging rent from the date it sets, and handle the security deposit as the state’s deposit rules require. Many of these statutes also require the landlord to keep the information confidential and to change the locks on request, and some bar ending a tenancy because a tenant is a victim. Each state’s answer page gives its exact rule.

If you are in danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

Frequently asked questions

Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?

In the states listed in this guide, yes, by giving the landlord written notice and the documentation the statute accepts. The state’s answer page gives the exact rule.

What proof does the landlord need?

Usually a protective order, a police report or a signed statement from a qualified third party such as a victim advocate. Each state’s statute lists what it accepts.

Do I still owe rent after I leave?

Not after the date the statute sets, which is often 30 days after notice. Some states require rent until the tenant moves out or for a short period after notice.

State-by-state rules

• Can a domestic violence victim end a lease early? — compared across 38 states and the District of Columbia

Sources

1. Arizona: A.R.S. § 33-1318, Arizona Revised Statutes (Arizona Legislature)
2. California: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.7, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
3. Colorado: C.R.S. § 38-12-402, Colorado Revised Statutes (Colorado General Assembly)
4. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e, Connecticut General Statutes (Connecticut General Assembly)
5. Delaware: 25 Del. C. § 5314, Delaware Code (Delaware General Assembly)
6. District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 42-3505.07, Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council)
7. Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-23, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
8. Hawaii: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-80, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Hawaii State Legislature)
9. Illinois: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20, 750/27, 750/35, Illinois Compiled Statutes (Illinois General Assembly)
10. Illinois: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20, 750/27, 750/35, Illinois Compiled Statutes (Illinois General Assembly)
11. Illinois: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20, 750/27, 750/35, Illinois Compiled Statutes (Illinois General Assembly)
12. Illinois: 765 ILCS 750/15, 750/20, 750/27, 750/35, Illinois Compiled Statutes (Illinois General Assembly)
13. Indiana: Ind. Code §§ 32-31-9-1, 32-31-9-3, 32-31-9-7, 32-31-9-8, 32-31-9-9, 32-31-9-10, 32-31-9-11, 32-31-9-12, 32-31-9-13, 32-31-9-14, Indiana Code (Indiana General Assembly)
14. Kansas: K.S.A. 58-25,137, Kansas Statutes (Kansas Revisor of Statutes)
15. Kentucky: KRS 383.300, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Kentucky General Assembly)
16. Louisiana: La. R.S. 9:3261.1, Louisiana Laws (Louisiana State Legislature)
17. Maine: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001, 6025, Maine Revised Statutes (Maine Legislature)
18. Maine: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001, 6025, Maine Revised Statutes (Maine Legislature)
19. Maryland: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03, 8-5A-05, Maryland Code (Maryland General Assembly)
20. Maryland: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03, 8-5A-05, Maryland Code (Maryland General Assembly)
21. Maryland: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03, 8-5A-05, Maryland Code (Maryland General Assembly)
22. Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 24, 25, 26, General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature)
23. Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 24, 25, 26, General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature)
24. Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 24, 25, 26, General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature)
25. Michigan: MCL 554.601b, Michigan Compiled Laws (Michigan Legislature)
26. Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 504B.206, Minnesota Statutes (Office of the Revisor of Statutes)
27. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.920, Missouri Revised Statutes (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)
28. Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1431.01, 76-1431, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
29. Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1431.01, 76-1431, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
30. Nevada: NRS 118A.345, Nevada Revised Statutes (Nevada Legislature)
31. New Hampshire: RSA 540:11-b, New Hampshire Revised Statutes (General Court of New Hampshire)
32. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
33. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
34. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
35. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
36. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
37. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, 46:8-9.7, 46:8-9.8, 46:8-9.9, 46:8-9.11, 46:8-9.12, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
38. New York: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 227-c, New York Consolidated Laws (New York State Senate)
39. North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-45.1, North Carolina General Statutes (North Carolina General Assembly)
40. North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-17.1, North Dakota Century Code (North Dakota Legislative Branch)
41. Oklahoma: 41 O.S. § 111, Oklahoma Statutes (Oklahoma State Courts Network)
42. Oregon: ORS 90.453, 90.459, Oregon Revised Statutes (Oregon State Legislature)
43. Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-63, 34-18-65, Rhode Island General Laws (Rhode Island General Assembly)
44. South Carolina: S.C. Code §§ 27-40-350, 27-40-210, South Carolina Code of Laws (South Carolina Legislature)
45. South Dakota: SDCL §§ 43-32-19.1, 43-32-19.2, South Dakota Codified Laws (South Dakota Legislature)
46. South Dakota: SDCL §§ 43-32-19.1, 43-32-19.2, South Dakota Codified Laws (South Dakota Legislature)
47. Tennessee: Tenn. Code § 66-7-112, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
48. Texas: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.016, 92.0161, Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature)
49. Texas: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.016, 92.0161, Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature)
50. Utah: Utah Code § 57-22-5.1, Utah Code (Utah Legislature)
51. Vermont: 9 V.S.A. §§ 4472, 4473, 4474, Vermont Statutes (Vermont General Assembly)
52. Vermont: 9 V.S.A. §§ 4472, 4473, 4474, Vermont Statutes (Vermont General Assembly)
53. Vermont: 9 V.S.A. §§ 4472, 4473, 4474, Vermont Statutes (Vermont General Assembly)
54. Virginia: Va. Code § 55.1-1236, Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly)
55. Washington: RCW 59.18.575, Revised Code of Washington (Washington State Legislature)
56. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. § 704.16, Wisconsin Statutes (Wisconsin State Legislature)
57. Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1303, 1-21-1304, Wyoming Statutes (Wyoming Legislature)

How Seayora helps

Lease renewals: Seayora keeps each lease’s term, signers and end date in one record, so an early termination is dated and the remaining tenants’ lease stays accurate.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.

How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.

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