Domestic Violence
It is illegal for a housing provider to discriminate against you because you are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence.
The Fair Housing Act, Violence Against Woman Act, and the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act all have legal protections for survivors of domestic violence. As a survivor of domestic violence, you have protections under the law.
Examples of discrimination may include:
- The property manager evicts you or does not renew your lease because you experienced domestic violence or because you called the police in fear of a domestic violence incident.
- A landlord refuses to rent to you because your partner was recently arrested for hitting you.
- A landlord charges you a fee due to a noise complaint related to a domestic violence incident.
- A housing provider refuses to accept your application because you are leaving a domestic violence program because they are afraid the abuser will show up and destroy the property.
The landlord evicts you for violating a “zero tolerance crime policy” in the lease when your abusive ex breaks into your apartment, however, other tenants were not evicted when their units were burglarized. - A public housing authority terminates your housing voucher because you called the police to your home for protection from domestic violence.
- A landlord makes you pay a pet fee for an emotional support animal that you require to alleviate symptoms of your mental illness developed as a result of domestic violence.
The Violence Against Women Act(VAWA) also offers protections. VAWA is a federal law that provides housing protections for people applying for or living in units subsidized by the federal government and who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, to help keep them safe and reduce their likelihood of experiencing homelessness. To find out if you are protected under VAWA, check your lease.
It is illegal for a housing provider to retaliate against you for filing a complaint, so you cannot be evicted or otherwise punished for speaking up.
Disclaimer: HOME does not offer crisis response services related to domestic violence. Always call 911 if you are in immediate danger or a life‐threatening situation.
For resources and support for domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking contact:
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance: vsdvAlliance.org | 1-800-838-8238
YWCA Richmond: ywcarichmond.org | 804-612-6126
