Victims of violence will now be able to give one months’ notice instead of three months to break a lease in an abusive situation.
The Residential Tenancies Act was amended to allow victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence or stalking to end their lease early.
To qualify, tenants will provide the landlord with
- an emergency intervention order or
- an order of the court or
- a declaration provided by a system contact.
According to the release, the change is one of the legislative changes aimed at supporting those experiencing domestic violence.
Other changes include:
- victims no longer being penalized by the Insurance Act because of damages caused by an abusive partner
- employers are required to assess the risk of violence in the workplace
- victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence or sexual violence can apply for leave from work
- victims can apply for an emergency intervention order under Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act
