Tenant/Landlord Rights
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protects victim-survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking against being discriminated by certain housing providers because the abuse committed to them
VAWA applies you if you are applying for or are a tenant of any of the following programs:
• Public housing
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
• Section 8 project-based housing
• Section 202 housing for the elderly
• Section 811 housing for the disabled
• Section 236 multifamily rental housing
• Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR)
• HOME
• Housing Opportunities for People with Aids (HOPWA)
• Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grants Programs
• Housing Trust Fund
• Rural Development multifamily housing
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing
VAWA housing protections do NOT cover private housing that does not receive federal assistance.
VAWA Housing Protections:
• You can’t be denied admission or federal rental assistance just because you are or have been a victim or threatened victim.
• You can’t be evicted or lose your federal rental assistance just because you are or have been a victim or threatened victim.
• You can’t be denied admission or rental assistance, evicted, or lose your subsidy for reasons related to abuse, such as bad credit history and criminal history.
How to prove that you can use VAWA Housing Protections:
The housing authority or your landlord may ask for documentation showing that you are victim-survivor. The request must be made in writing and victim-survivors must be given 14 business days to provide proof of violence.
Any of the following three choices must be accepted by the housing provider. It is up to the victim-survivor which one they choose:
• Self-Certification Form.
• Provide a letter/Third Part Documentation signed by a victim service provider, attorney, or a medical or mental health professional who has helped you with the abuse. Must be signed by victim-survivor also.
• Provide a police report, court record (such as a protection order), or administrative record.
For more information of VAWA Housing Protections provided by the National Housing Law Project, click here.
In Nevada there are several state housing protections for victim-survivors.
NRS 118A.345
A victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking may terminate their lease agreement for safety reasons. The tenant must provide a written notice to the landlord and a copy of the order of the protection and/or a copy of the written report from law enforcement and/or a written affidavit
NRS 118A.515
A landlord cannot evict, impose a fine or any other punitive action against a tenant for calling emergency assistance.