Virginia Rental Laws: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know

If you’re renting or renting out a place in Virginia, you’ll run into a few rules that keep the relationship fair. The good news is the laws are pretty straightforward, so you can focus on living or managing rather than digging through legal jargon.

Security Deposits and What They Cover

Virginia lets landlords ask for up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. They must give you a written receipt and keep the money in a separate account. When you move out, the landlord has 45 days to return the deposit or give an itemized list of what they’re keeping and why. Anything they withhold must be for actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Notice Requirements for Rent Increases and Lease Endings

Rent hikes don’t need a special form, but the landlord must give you at least 30 days’ written notice before the new amount kicks in. If you’re on a month‑to‑month lease and either side wants to end it, the same 30‑day notice applies. For a fixed‑term lease, you’re stuck until the contract finishes unless both parties agree to end it early.

When a landlord wants to enter your unit, Virginia law says they must give “reasonable” notice—usually 24 hours—and have a legitimate reason, like repairs or showing the place to a new tenant. They can’t just barge in without warning.

Habitable Living Conditions and Repairs

Virginia requires landlords to keep rental units “fit for human habitation.” That means fixing things like leaky roofs, broken heating, or pest infestations within a reasonable time after you notify them. If the landlord ignores a serious repair, you can write a formal notice, give them a 5‑day window to act, and then you may have options like withholding rent or fixing the issue yourself and deducting the cost.

Don’t forget to keep copies of all communications. Emails, texts, or written letters serve as proof if a dispute goes to court.

Eviction Process Made Simple

Landlords can’t just kick you out. They need a court order, and the process starts with a written notice. For non‑payment, it’s a 5‑day notice to pay or quit. For lease violations, it’s a 5‑day notice to cure or quit. If you don’t comply, the landlord files a lawsuit. The court then decides if a “writ of possession” is issued, giving you a set date to leave.

During an eviction, you still have the right to a hearing. If the landlord skips any step, the eviction can be thrown out, and you might even get a rent refund for the period the landlord tried to evict you illegally.

Other Things to Watch Out For

Virginia doesn’t have statewide rent control, so rent can rise as long as the landlord follows the notice rule. However, local ordinances might add extra protections, so always check city or county rules.

Pet policies are also up to the lease. If the contract says no pets, you can’t bring one without the landlord’s written consent. Breaking that rule could be a lease violation and trigger an eviction.

Finally, if you’re a landlord, remember you must give tenants a copy of the Virginia Residential Landlord‑Tenant Act summary at the start of the tenancy. It’s a simple way to avoid confusion later.

Understanding these basics keeps you on the right side of Virginia’s rental laws. Whether you’re paying rent or collecting it, following the rules saves time, money, and headaches. Need more detail? Check the official Virginia landlord‑tenant handbook or talk to a local attorney.