State Laws Protecting Tenants in Domestic Violence Situations

Many states extend special protections to tenants who are victims of domestic violence (DV), governing what the landlord can and cannot do in response to the situation. Most states also have procedures whereby tenants can obtain restraining orders against perpetrators; often the effect of these orders is to ban the perpetrator-tenant from the rental property (these laws are not cited in this chart). For information on obtaining restraining orders, contact local law enforcement.

Here is a list of citations for relevant state laws. To read your state laws, see the website maintained by the Cornell Legal Information Institute. For more information, check out Nolo's resources for victims of domestic violence, or contact local law enforcement or a battered women's shelter.

State Laws on Protections for Tenants Who Are Victims of Domestic Violence

Alabama

No statute

Alaska

No statute

Arizona

Statute(s): Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 33-1315, 33-1318, 33-1414

Arkansas

Statute(s): Ark. Code § 18-16-112

California

Statute(s): Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1941.5, 1941.6, 1946.7; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1161, 1161.3, 1174.27; Cal. Gov't Code § 53165.1

Colorado

Statute(s): Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-40-104 (4), 13-40-107.5 (5), 38-12-401, 38-12-402, 38-12-503

Connecticut

Statute(s): Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e

Delaware

Statute(s): Del. Code tit. 25, §§ 5141(7), 5314(b), 5316

District of Columbia

Statute(s): D.C. Code §§ 2-1401.02, 2-1402.21, 42-3505.07, 42-3505.08

Florida

No statute

Georgia

Statute(s): Ga. Code § 44-7-23

Hawaii

Statute(s): Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 521-80 to 521-82

Idaho

No statute

Illinois

Statute(s): 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-106.2; 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 750/1 through 750/35

Indiana

Statute(s): Ind. Code §§ 32-31-9-1 through 32-31-9-15

Iowa

Statute(s): Iowa Code §§ 562A.27A, 562A.27B, 562B.25A(3)

Kansas

Statute(s): Kan. Stat. § 58-25,137

Kentucky

Statute(s): Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 383.300, 383.302

Louisiana

Statute(s): La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3261.1 (domestic violence); La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3261.2 (sexual assault)

Maine

Statute(s): Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6000, 6001, 6002, 6025

Maryland

Statute(s): Md. Code Real Prop., §§ 8-208, 8-208.1; 8-5A-01 through 8-5A-06; 14-126

Massachusetts

Statute(s): Mass Gen. Laws ch. 186, §§ 24, 25, 26, and 28; ch. 239, § 2A

Michigan

Statute(s): Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.601b

Minnesota

Statute(s): Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.171, 504B.205, 504B.206

Mississippi

No statute

Missouri

Statute(s): Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.920

Montana

No statute

Nebraska

Statute(s): Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1431; 76-1431.01

Nevada

Statute(s): Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 118A.345, 118A.347, 118A.510

New Hampshire

Statute(s): N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(VII)

New Jersey

Statute(s): N.J. Stat. §§ 46:8-9.5 through 46:8-9.14

New Mexico

Statute(s): N.M. Stat. § 47-8-33(J)

New York

Statute(s): N.Y. Real Prop. Law §§ 227-c(2) and 227–d; N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 744; N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 530.13(1); N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(3); N.Y. Exec. Law § 296

North Carolina

Statute(s): N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-40, 42-42.2, 42-42.3, 42-45.1

North Dakota

Statute(s): N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-17.1

Ohio

No statute

Oklahoma

Statute(s): Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 113.3

Oregon

Statute(s): Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 90.449, 90.453, 90.456, 90.459

Pennsylvania

Statute(s): 53 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 304; 246 Pa. Code Rule 514.1

Rhode Island

Statute(s): R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-37-1 through 34-37-4

South Carolina

No statute

South Dakota

Statute(s): S.D. Codified Laws §§â€¯43-32-18.1, 43-32-19.1

Tennessee

Statute(s): Tenn. Code §§ 66-7-109(e), 66-7-112, 66-28-205, 66-28-517(g)

Texas

Statute(s): Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.015, 92.016, 92.0161

Utah

Statute(s): Utah Code § 57-22-5.1

Vermont

Statute(s): 15 Vt. Stat. § 1103(c)(2)(B); 9 Vt. Stat. §§ 4471 through 4475

Virginia

Statute(s): Va. Code §§ 55.1-1203, 55.1-1208, 55.1-1230, 55.1-1236

Washington

Statute(s): Wash. Rev. Code §§ 59.18.130(8)(b)(ii), 59.18.352, 59.18.570, 59.18.575, 59.18.580, 59.18.585

West Virginia

No statute

Wisconsin

Statute(s): Wis. Stat. §§ 106.50, 704.14, 704.16

Wyoming

Statute(s): Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1301 to 1-21-1304