Eviction Notice Virginia: What You Need to Know as a Tenant or Landlord

When a landlord in Virginia, a U.S. state with specific tenant protection laws wants a tenant to leave, they can’t just kick them out. There’s a legal process—and it starts with a proper eviction notice, a formal written demand to vacate the property. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s the first step in a court-driven procedure that protects both sides. If you’re a tenant in Virginia and you got one, don’t panic. If you’re a landlord, don’t skip steps. Messing up the notice can cost you time, money, and your case.

Virginia law says a landlord must give a tenant a written notice before filing for eviction. The type of notice depends on the reason. For non-payment of rent, it’s a 5-day notice to pay or quit. For lease violations, like noise or pets, it’s a 30-day notice to cure or vacate. If the tenant doesn’t fix the issue, then—and only then—can the landlord file with the court. No notice? No eviction. And if a landlord tries to turn off the heat, change the locks, or throw your stuff out? That’s illegal. You can sue them. The Virginia security deposit, a sum held to cover damages or unpaid rent also has rules: it must be returned within 45 days after you move out, with an itemized list of deductions. Miss that deadline? You’re owed double the amount.

Many people think eviction is quick. It’s not. From notice to court date to sheriff enforcement, it takes weeks—even months. And tenants have rights. You can dispute the notice in court. You can ask for more time. You can even get free legal help from Virginia Legal Aid. Landlords who ignore these rules risk fines, lawsuits, and losing their right to evict. The system is designed to force both sides to talk, not to force tenants out.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides based on actual Virginia rental cases. You’ll read about what happens when landlords miss the 45-day deposit deadline, how to respond to a notice you believe is fake, and why your lease doesn’t disappear just because the property was sold. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re tools for people living this right now—tenants trying to stay in their homes, landlords trying to do it right. No jargon. No guesswork. Just what the law says, and how to use it.