NEED HELP?
If you or someone you know is experiencing
domestic violence and are in need of assistance,
the following organizations can help:
FACTS
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have
experienced severe physical violence by
an intimate partner at some point in their
lifetime.
More than 1,600 Georgia citizens have lost
their lives due to domestic violence between
the years of 2003 and 2006.
In 2015, law enforcement ofcers responded
to over 65,000 family violence incidents in
Georgia. Within that same year, over 24,500
protective and stalking orders were issued.
In 2016, over 5,390 victims and
children were provided with refuge at
a Georgia domestic violence shelter.
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers
Foundation (AVLF)
Safe Families Ofce | (404) 612-4324
Safe & Stable Homes Project | (404) 521-0790
Legal advocacy and support services for survivors of
domestic violence and clients involved in landlord-
tenant disputes
Partnership Against Domestic
Violence (PADV)
24-Hour Crisis Hotline | (404) 873-1766
Safe Houses • Legal Advocacy •Parenting Services
Community Support Groups • Prevention Programs
Housing Programs • SNAP • Community Education
Georgia Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
24-Hour Statewide Hotline | 1 (800) 33-HAVEN
CJCC Certied Shelters
STEPS TO END A
LEASE AGREEMENT
WITHOUT PENALTY
1
Check to see if your lease meets
the statutory period: “entered into,
renewed, modied or extended
ON or AFTER July 1, 2018.” If yes,
continue to step 2. If not, contact
AVLF to see what options might be
available to you.
2
Document acts of domestic
violence by obtaining a Civil or
Criminal Family Violence Order
(CFVO) from the court.
3
Provide the landlord with a written
notice of termination and a copy of
the applicable CFVO.
4
Wait the prescribed 30 days for
termination to become effective.
You may (but are not required
to) occupy the residence until
termination is nalized. In either
case, you will continue to be
responsible for rent due under
the agreement, prorated to the
effective date of termination.
- Georgia Commission on Family Violence
For more information, visit gcfv.ga.gov
WHAT IS OCGA §
44-7-23?
More often than not, survivors of domestic violence
are forced to leave their home to seek safety.
During this time, survivors may be penalized for
ending their lease early. This might include late
payment fees, legal action, and negative credit
reporting.
The state of Georgia created this law to protect
survivors of domestic violence from these costs.
Effective July 1, 2018, this law allows survivors who
are trying to escape their abusers to end their lease
agreements early without penalty.
Tenants who give their landlords a written notice of
termination and an order of protection from
the court can end their residential rental or lease
agreement for real estate without penalty, effective
30 days after receipt of written notice.
OCGA § 44-7-23
This Georgia law allows survivors of
domestic violence to end their lease
without penalty.
“There
are many
domestic
violence
victims who
suffer...It is
horribly sad,
but that’s why
we’re doing
this...”
GA Representative Scott
Holcomb on approving House
Bill 834, which led to the
creation of OCGA § 44-7-23
235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1750
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 521-0790 | avlf.org