Virginia Tenant Rights
Virginia landlord-tenant law is governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Va.
Last reviewed:
Key Laws by Topic
Eviction Laws
- Nonpayment Notice:
- 14 days written pay-or-quit notice for nonpayment of rent
- Lease Violation Notice:
- 30 days notice to remedy or vacate for remediable violations
- Periodic Tenancy Notice:
- 30 days written notice for month-to-month termination
- Rent Control:
- No rent control in Virginia
- Just Cause Required:
- No statewide just-cause requirement
Security Deposit Laws
- Limit:
- 2 months' rent maximum
- Return Deadline:
- 45 days after termination of tenancy
- Itemization Required:
- Yes — written itemized statement of deductions required
- Interest Required:
- Yes — deposit must be placed in an escrow account; interest must be paid to tenant if deposit held more than 13 months
- Bad Faith Penalty:
- Tenant may recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees for bad-faith withholding
Repair & Habitability Laws
- Repair And Deduct:
- Not expressly authorized by VRLTA statute
- Rent Withholding:
- Tenant may terminate or seek court relief for serious habitability failures
- Notice Required:
- 30 days written notice to landlord before exercising remedies (unless immediate danger)
- Habitability Standards:
- Housing code compliance, structural safety, weatherproofing, heating, plumbing, electrical, sanitary conditions
Tenant Harassment Laws
- Retaliation Prohibited:
- Yes — retaliatory rent increases, evictions, and service reductions prohibited
- Self Help Prohibited:
- Yes — court order required; unlawful exclusion results in damages
- Remedies:
- Actual damages, termination of lease, attorney's fees available
- Penalty:
- Tenant may recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees for unlawful exclusion
Notice & Entry Laws
- Notice Required:
- 24 hours advance notice required for non-emergency entry
- Permissible Entry Reasons:
- Repairs, inspections, showing unit, emergencies
- Emergency Entry:
- Permitted without advance notice for genuine emergencies
- Time Of Entry:
- Reasonable times only
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Not Legal Advice. This site provides general educational information only — not legal counsel. Laws vary by location. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.