Housing Discrimination Against Domestic Violence Survivors is Illegal, New Law Says

Starting Tuesday, it became officially illegal for landlords in New York City to discriminate against survivors of domestic violence.

The New York City Human Rights Law now includes protections against housing discrimination for survivors of domestic abuse. The law makes it illegal for landlords to evict women or reject their housing applications because they have or had an abuser or stalker. It also makes it illegal for landlords to refuse to make repairs to your apartment due to your domestic situation.

The measure was sponsored by City Council member Jumaane D. Williams of Brooklyn.

"Domestic violence continues to threaten the safety and lives of too many New Yorkers," Williams said in a statement in March. "Too often, victims of domestic violence are evicted or prevented from renting apartments simply because they have been abused—this is not only wrong, it’s horrifying."

The law also gives a woman the right to terminate her lease early in a case where she feels she is in danger. A landlord can evict the abuser, but he can't evict the survivor.

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