Tenant Domestic Violence Issue

[Larry Asiak]

Hello all, firstly wanted to thank you for this great resource.   I have been lurking here for a few years, and there is such a wealth of knowledge on this site!   

I am renting out a place in Columbus, Ohio. I have rented it two a newly married couple and this is the third month of their 1 year lease.  My communication has all been with her, and I only met him briefly when he signed the lease.  

All seemed well until this morning when I got a text from her that he has beaten her really badly and she needs to get away from him.   She wants to know if she can leave the lease without financial responsibility.    She insists he has plenty of income to pay for the place himself.   

I haven't responded yet, as Im not sure what the best answer is.   Of course I don't want to feel like I am keeping her there, in obviously such a horrible situaton.    

How would you experienced landlords handle this? 

[Andrew S.]

First and foremost, she should get the heck out of there, regardless of what her lease situation is.  I sure hope she doesn't hang around a dangerous situation just  because she is concerned about the lease.

If he can really swing the place himself, chances are he'll just continue to pay the rent anyway.  @Mark Brogan , I don't see what grounds you would be evicting them on.  We don;t even know if she called the cops and there is an investigation of criminal behavior going on (sadly, these are VERY under reported crimes), but even then it's not obvious to me that you can just evict.