Domestic abuse prevention group teaches landlords to know the signs

A Calgary social agency held an event this week to help educate landlords how to spot the signs of domestic abuse in their rental properties.

Lauretta Enders with Emerald Management was among a group of landlords who attended the workshop on Thursday.

"The more we understand when someone's at risk and what we can do to be supportive, the better it is you could even save a life," she said.

"Whether it's helping relocate a tenant addressing their leases differently, payment options, you know, there is certainly lots of opportunities out there."

The event hosted by the Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society was meant to help arm landlords with the knowledge to react effectively to domestic violence situations.

Andrea Silverstone, who speaks for Sagesse, says landlords are often in a position to notice signs of an abusive domestic situation.

"A lot of landlords actually share space with their tenants," she said.

"And so they hear what's going on or they see what's going on or tenants often have to notify landlords because they need locks changed."

Silverstone says other ways that landlords can help is by being aware of the Safer Spaces legislation, which allows someone fleeing domestic violence to break their lease.

It also stipulates that a tenant shouldn't be held responsible for damages caused by their abuser.

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