Conozca la Ley: District of Columbia
ACTUALIZADA 10 de julio, 2008
As of 2007, there is a housing law in Washington D.C. that offers housing-related protection to victims of domestic violence.
Read the following questions for more information.
- Basic Info
- Protection from Eviction
- Breaking your lease / Moving out
- Building Safety and Security
- Discrimination Against Victims
- Additional Information
Basic Info
arribaWhat is a housing law?
A housing law is designed to protect you as a tenant.
As of 2007, there is a housing law in Washington, D.C. that offers housing-related protection to victims of domestic violence. The law includes protections from eviction and the right to break your lease in certain situations. It also gives you the right to get safety improvements in your apartment and building. This law does not include protection for an eviction case brought against you for not paying your rent.
If you are not a victim of domestic violence, but have questions about your housing rights, here are some links that provide this information.
• For information on an anti-discrimination law, the Fair Housing Act: http://www.usdoj.gov
• Basic tenant and landlord rights with contact info for legal assistance: http://dcra.dc.gov
If you are not sure if you are a victim of domestic violence, see What is the legal definition of domestic violence in D.C.?
arribaWho is protected under this housing law?
You can get protection if:
• You are related to the abuser by blood, legal custody, marriage, or domestic partnership; or
• You have a child in common with the abuser; or
• You live with or have lived with the abuser; or
• You have or had a romantic relationship* with the abuser AND you currently live in D.C. OR the domestic violence incident happened in D.C.; or
• You are or were the spouse/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend of someone who has been a victim of domestic violence, you can be protected under this housing law if the abuser does something to you that is causing you to be taken to court by your landlord for eviction (for example, if you are the boyfriend of a victim and her ex-husband attacks you, you could qualify for protection under this law)
• You are or were stalked by the abuser.**
* Note: A "romantic relationship" does not necessarily have to be a sexual relationship
** D.C. Code § 16-1001(5)