Sponsor
The bill improves safety and housing access for survivors by letting them end covered leases without penalty, while imposing some additional costs and administrative burdens on housing providers that could be passed on to tenants or taxpayers.
Renters who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking can more quickly relocate to safety because the bill lets them end covered leases early without penalty, reducing ongoing risk of harm.
Renters (especially low-income tenants) face fewer financial barriers to leaving abusive situations because early lease termination is allowed without fees, lowering the economic cost of escaping unsafe housing.
Applicants as well as current tenants in covered housing programs gain greater housing access and flexibility because protections apply to people seeking housing as well as those already housed.
Landlords and housing programs may incur higher turnover and vacancy-related costs, which could be passed on to other tenants (higher rents) or to taxpayers if program rents are adjusted.
Housing providers and administrators (including local government and nonprofit operators) may face added administrative burdens and compliance costs to verify eligibility for lease terminations, potentially delaying processing or increasing overhead.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits landlords from charging fees to eligible survivors who voluntarily terminate a lease early in covered housing programs.
Representative · D-OH
Official title: To provide additional housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 6, 2025 by Emilia Strong Sykes · Last progress October 6, 2025
Prohibits landlords from charging application, administrative, penalty, or other fees to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who choose to voluntarily terminate a lease early. The rule applies to applicants for and tenants of housing assisted under covered federal housing programs and amends the Violence Against Women Act authorities to add this protection. The change helps remove a financial barrier for survivors seeking to leave unsafe housing situations by preventing certain fees when they end a lease early under covered housing programs.