§ 227-c. Termination of residential lease by victims of domestic\nviolence. 1. Lease or rental agreement. In any lease or rental agreement\ncovering premises occupied for dwelling purposes, where a tenant or a\nmember of the tenant's household is a victim of domestic violence as\ndefined by section four hundred fifty-nine-a of the social services law\nand reasonably fears remaining in the leasehold premises because of\npotential further domestic violence, such tenant shall be permitted to\nterminate such lease or rental agreement and quit and surrender\npossession of the leasehold premises and the land so leased or occupied\npursuant to the provisions of this section and to be released from any\nliability to pay to the lessor or owner, rent or other payments in lieu\nof rent for the time subsequent to the date of termination of such lease\nin accordance with subdivision two of this section.\n 2. Lease termination procedure. (a) A tenant who meets the\nrequirements in subdivision one of this section may terminate the\ntenant's lease by notice in writing delivered to the lessor or owner of\nthe premises occupied by such person, or to the lessor's or owner's\nagent, and to any co-tenants of such lessee or tenant other than the\nperpetrator of domestic violence. The notice shall specify the\ntermination date which shall be no earlier than thirty days after such\nnotice is delivered. If the notice is mailed via first class mail, it\nshall be deemed delivered five days after mailing. If the tenant asserts\nthat the lessor or owner is the perpetrator of domestic violence, a\nperson authorized by the tenant may deliver such notice on the tenant's\nbehalf.\n (b) Such notice shall state that the tenant or a member of the\ntenant's household has experienced domestic violence and reasonably\nbelieves the tenant, or the member of the tenant's household, is unable\nto safely remain in the leased premises as a result of the domestic\nviolence.\n (c) Within twenty-five days of such notice, the tenant shall provide\ndocumentation demonstrating that the tenant or a member of the tenant's\nhousehold has been a victim of domestic violence as described in\nsubdivision one of this section. This documentation may include any one\nor more of the following:\n (i) A temporary or final order of protection issued by a court of\ncompetent jurisdiction;\n (ii) A record, complaint, or report from a federal, state, or local\nlaw enforcement agency of an act of domestic violence as described in\nsection four hundred fifty-nine-a of the social services law or a family\noffense as described in section eight hundred twelve of the family court\nact, or certifying that the tenant or a member of the tenant's household\nhas been subjected to domestic violence;\n (iii) A record from a health care provider for treatment related to\ndomestic violence as described in section four hundred fifty-nine-a of\nthe social services law or a family offense as described in section\neight hundred twelve of the family court act;\n (iv) A written verification from any other qualified third party to\nwhom the tenant, or a member of the tenant's household reported the\ndomestic violence.\n (A) "Qualified third party" shall include: any law enforcement\nofficer; employee of a court of the state; attorney, physician,\npsychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, registered nurse, therapist,\nor clinical professional counselor licensed to practice in any state;\nperson employed by a government or non-profit agency or service that\nadvises or provides services to persons regarding domestic violence; or\nany member of the clergy of a church or religious society or\ndenomination.\n (B) Written verification as described herein shall be satisfied by any\nsworn or notarized statement including the required information.\n (d) The following sample forms shall satisfy the notice and\nverification requirements but are not required. These sample forms shall\nbe posted to the New York state
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