VAWA & Evictions: The Critical Notices Landlords Must Serve

Landlords, a simple paperwork mistake could cost you your entire eviction case. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), owners and managers of federally assisted housing must serve specific HUD notices when beginning a tenancy or pursuing eviction. Failing to comply can lead to dismissal in court, lost rent, and wasted legal fees. In the video below, we’ll explain your obligations and how to protect your eviction from costly errors.

Contact SNS Law Group today to ensure your notices are compliant and your case stays on track.

Transcript:

Landlords, here’s something that can make or break your eviction action. Under the Violence Against Women Act, formerly known as VAWA, you have a legal duty to serve tenants with special notices. If you don’t, your eviction could get tossed out.

Hi, my name is Bijaj Shakibkoo. I’m a co-founder and managing partner here at SNS Law Group. And if you enjoy this video, please feel free to like and subscribe.

Violence Against Women Act and Evictions

VAWA protects tenants who are survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It applies if you own or manage federally assisted housing, such as Section 8, public housing, and similar programs.

HUD Notices Required for Evictions

The key requirement is notices: you must provide two HUD forms. HUD form number one is a notice of occupancy rights, and HUD form number two is a self-certification form.

Here is when you have to serve them: at move-in with the lease, any time you serve an eviction or termination notice, and whenever a tenant asks for them.

Potential Dismissal When Notices Are Skipped

If you skip these notices, the tenant can raise it as a defense in court. Judges can and do dismiss actions over this. That’s months of lost rent and wasted attorney’s fees, all because the paperwork wasn’t done right.

The notice requirement under VAWA isn’t optional. Miss it, and your eviction could be dismissed in court.

Contact SNS Law Group for Evictions Involving VAWA

If you own or manage federally assisted housing, call our office today. We’ll help you update your notices, train your staff, and make sure that your eviction case stays on track.