Walk It Through: Leaving After The Assault
A partner's assault, a police report, written notice, and a lease ended without a penalty.
A tenant's former partner assaults her in the apartment parking lot. She calls the police.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One tenant ending one lease after an assault. A co-tenant who is the abuser, damage to the unit, a public housing lease and a criminal case are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Security depositMoney held to secure a rental agreement, however the lease names it. It may not exceed one month's rent without special conditions and agreement.
- Protection orderA court order after a hearing, on finding domestic abuse, that can bar abuse, exclude the abuser from the home and set temporary custody and support, for up to five years.
- Ex parte temporary protection orderA temporary order granted before the other side is heard, on an affidavit of immediate and irreparable injury, lasting until the hearing.
- Good causeThe narrow set of reasons for quitting that do not cost unemployment benefits, such as a certified health hazard or an employer that required moving.
- Significant romantic relationshipOne of the relationships that lets a person petition for a domestic abuse protection order, now or within the past twelve months.