A proposal moving through Pennsylvania could give tenants facing domestic violence and other qualifying crimes more freedom to leave an unsafe home without remaining trapped by a rental agreement. House Bill 72 was introduced specifically to create additional housing protections for victims of violence.
Under the current version of the bill, an eligible tenant could be released early from a lease after providing the required written notice and supporting documentation. The notice would need to state that relocation is necessary for the safety or physical or mental well-being of the tenant or an immediate family or household member.
The proposal also addresses home security. An eligible tenant who reasonably fears that the responsible person may try to enter the home could request that the landlord change or rekey the locks. Under the latest bill text, if the landlord does not respond within 24 hours, the tenant could have the locks professionally changed or rekeyed at the tenant’s expense, subject to the bill’s requirements. Additional restrictions apply when the responsible person is also named on the lease.
The legislation would also prohibit landlords from imposing certain penalties or retaliating solely because an eligible tenant exercised rights provided by the measure. Supporters argue that housing can become another barrier for people trying to leave dangerous situations, and that giving victims a clearer legal path to relocate or secure their homes could provide an important layer of protection.
Source: Pennsylvania General Assembly — HB 72.
