What proof do I need to give to my landlord to get out of my lease if I am a domestic abuse victim?
If you are a tenant who is requesting an early lease termination, you must provide “reasonable documentation” that you or your family or household member is a domestic abuse victim. This means you must provide both of the following:
- a written letter that says:
- you or your family or household member is a victim of domestic abuse;
- you want an early lease termination;
- you and your household members will not knowingly allow the abuser to enter your home again; and
- you will meet all of the other requirements under the lease agreement;1 and
- proof that the domestic abuse happened within the past 30 days in the rented home, in the form of either:
- a domestic abuse protective order; or
- a certification of domestic abuse signed by a qualified third party. 2
If requested by the landlord, you must provide the name and address of the abuser as well.3
1 La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3261.1(E)
2 La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3261.1(B)(7), (E)(2)
3 La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3261.1(E)(5)