Signed by Governor Brian Sandoval

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes early terminations of rental agreements by victims of domestic violence, effective July 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Authorizes victims domestic violence  to terminate their rental agreements by giving the landlord written notice of termination, effective at the end of the rental period or 30 days after the notice is provided to the landlord, whichever occurs soonest (Sec. 1).

• Requires the tenant requesting termination of their rental agreement to submit their request within 90 days of the incident of domestic violence (Sec. 1).

• Requires the written notice to include one of the following pieces of evidence of domestic violence (Sec. 1):
• • A copy of an order for protection against domestic violence issues to the tenant, cotenant or household member who is the victim of domestic violence;
  • A copy of a written report from a law enforcement agency indicating that the tenant, cotenant or household member notified the law enforcement agency of the domestic violence; or
  • A copy of a written affidavit signed by a “qualified third party” acting in his or her official capacity stating that the tenant, cotenant,  or household member is a victim of domestic violence. 

• Defines “qualified third party” as individuals in occupations, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• • A licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or nurse;
  • Any individual employed by an agency or service which advises individuals regarding domestic violence; or
  • Any member of the clergy.

• Authorizes the landlord to retain the rent the tenant has prepaid, with no refund, unless the amount of the prepaid rent exceeds what is owed for that rental period (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the landlord to claim the individual identified as the “adverse party” civilly liable for all economic losses resulting from the early termination of a rental agreement (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “adverse party” as the individual who is named in an order for protection against domestic violence in a written report from a law enforcement agency, or in a written statement from a qualified third party, and who is alleged to be the cause of the early termination of a rental agreement (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text