Are there any special rights for tenants who are victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?

Yes, tenants who are victims of domestic violence have special rights under Fair Housing Law in Virginia. The Virginia Human Rights Act specifies that a landlord cannot deny housing to a person who is a victim of family violence. Additionally, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to a person based on their gender, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, familial status, or physical or mental disability. Victims of domestic violence can also terminate their leases without penalty. This is done through the Domestic Violence Waiver of Rights Act. Through the waiver, a tenant can break their lease without any financial penalties or negative consequences. The tenant must provide written documentation of the domestic violence, either from a police report or a shelter, to the landlord. Finally, a landlord cannot refuse to provide the same security that they provide to all tenants to a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence. This means they cannot deny a victim of domestic violence a lock change or other measures that they are entitled to in order to keep themselves safe. This protection is provided in order to ensure that victims of domestic violence have the same access to safe housing that all tenants have.

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Are there any special rights for tenants who are victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?

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