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New Pittsburgh Law Allows DV Victims to Terminate Leases Without Penalty

Posted by Joseph Lento | Jan 05, 2024 | 0 Comments

On November 14th, a new renters law protecting DV victims was unanimously approved by Pittsburgh's City Council. Triblive.com reported on the legislation, explaining that it allows DV victims to exit leases early without penalties. Should the tenant choose to stay in the lease, landlords are also required to change locks free of charge within five days of being asked to do so. Tenants must continue to pay rent and demonstrate proof of the violence through court documentation, protection from abuse orders, medical records, mental health records, and documents from social workers or victim advocates.

Although the helpful law targets the housing crisis many DV victims face while attempting to leave their abuser, victims are still required to take initial steps to gather the necessary documentation to prove the abuse. If you are being emotionally, psychologically, or physically abused and threatened and need help getting a PFA order, our LLF Family Law Team can help. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or by utilizing our online form.

Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania

According to 2020 data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 37.1% of women and 30% of men in Pennsylvania experience intimate partner physical violence. Put in another way, around 1,045 calls to law enforcement or helplines alleging domestic violence are made every hour in the state.

The state defines Domestic violence within Section 6102 of the state's criminal code as abusive acts between members of the same family, members of the same household, sexual or intimate partners, or co-parents. Domestic violence can also include willful intimidation, behavior that falls within a systematic pattern of control, sexual violence, and emotional or psychological abuse.

Protection From Abuse Orders

In Pennsylvania, restraining orders for domestic violence victims are referred to as Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders. Although the exact orders will vary from case to case, PFA orders typically limit the defendant, such as prohibiting them from contacting the victim(s), approaching or entering their residence, and being present in or around their workplace or schools.

PFA orders are first granted temporarily for ten days until a more comprehensive court hearing for a final order can occur. Finalized order hearings are thorough and consist of evidence, testimony, and argument in court. If the court agrees to grant a “finalized” order, the order will remain in effect for three years with the ongoing option to petition to renew the order.

Contact a PFA Attorney Today

If you are a victim of domestic violence and are taking the first steps of researching safe housing and/or protection from abuse orders, you should be incredibly proud of yourself! The hardest part about leaving an abusive relationship is deciding to take the first step. Our compassionate LLF Family Law Team is available to help you understand the next steps. Contact us today for a confidential consultation by calling 888-535-3686 or by using our online contact form.

About the Author

Joseph Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a veteran of one of the nation's busiest family courts with nearly 20 years' experience passionately helping families. By day, he worked in the trenches of family court, and at night, he studied the law. He helped countless families while working at family court, and he went on to become an attorney, dedicating his law practice to continuing the work he started years earlier. Mr. Lento's experience both behind the scenes and on the front lines allows him to understand a client's family law matter from all angles, and allows him to find and employ the most effective strategies to get favorable outcomes for any client. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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Contact a skilled Family Law Team Today!

The LLF Law Firm has unparalleled experience practicing Family Law in Pennsylvania. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you and your family, contact our offices today. Our Family Law Team will go above and beyond the needs for any client and fight for what is fair.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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