Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent.

Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act

This bill would allow renters in Rhode Island who are victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, or similar forms of abuse to break their lease early without facing financial penalties. Normally, when a tenant leaves a rental before their lease ends, they can be required to pay remaining rent or other fees. This bill would remove that financial burden for survivors who need to leave their home quickly to protect their safety.

To use this protection, a tenant would likely need to provide some form of documentation showing they are a victim of abuse, such as a police report, restraining order, or statement from a qualified professional. Once the proper steps are followed, the landlord would not be able to charge the tenant for unpaid rent covering the remainder of the lease or penalize them financially for leaving early.

This bill directly affects renters across Rhode Island who find themselves in unsafe living situations due to abuse. It also affects landlords, who would need to release qualifying tenants from their lease obligations without seeking additional compensation. The goal of the legislation is to make it easier for abuse survivors to relocate to safer housing without being held back by the financial consequences of their lease contract.

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, meaning it is in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on or signed into law.