Virginia Rental Law: Tenant Rights, Landlord Rules, and What You Need to Know

When you rent a home in Virginia rental law, the set of rules governing landlord-tenant relationships in the state of Virginia, including lease terms, security deposits, and eviction procedures. It also applies to anyone renting a house, apartment, or condo anywhere in the state. Whether you’re a tenant trying to figure out if your landlord can raise your rent mid-lease, or a landlord wondering how much you can legally hold back from a security deposit, Virginia’s laws are clear—but only if you know where to look.

One of the most common questions is: Can my landlord sell the house I’m renting? Yes, they can. But under Virginia rental law, the legal framework that protects tenants even when a property changes hands, your lease doesn’t disappear. The new owner has to honor your terms until it expires. Another big one: security deposit Virginia, the maximum amount a landlord can collect and how quickly it must be returned after move-out. The law says you can’t be charged more than two months’ rent, and you must get it back within 45 days after leaving—with a written itemized list if any deductions are made.

What about repairs? If your heater breaks in January, your landlord has to fix it within a reasonable time. Virginia doesn’t let tenants withhold rent to force repairs, but you can file a complaint with the local court if the issue is serious and ignored. And rent increases? Landlords can raise rent at the end of a lease term—but not during it unless your lease says otherwise. No surprise hikes. No retaliation. No illegal lockouts.

There’s also landlord responsibilities, the legal duties Virginia requires landlords to meet, including providing habitable housing, following safety codes, and giving proper notice before entry. You can’t just walk into a tenant’s home without 24 hours’ notice—unless it’s an emergency. And if you’re a tenant, you’re expected to keep the place clean and not damage it. But you’re not responsible for normal wear and tear.

And what about eviction? Virginia requires a formal court process. No text messages, no sudden notices on the door. Your landlord must give you a written notice, file paperwork, and win a court hearing before you’re legally required to leave. Even if you’re late on rent, you have time to pay and stay—unless you’ve been given a 14-day notice to pay or quit and didn’t act.

These rules aren’t just theory. People use them every day to stop illegal evictions, get their deposits back, or push back on unfair rent hikes. The posts below dig into real cases and practical steps—from how to write a repair request that actually gets answered, to what to do if your landlord tries to sneak in a rent increase mid-lease. You’ll find guides on rental agreement Virginia, the legally required elements that every lease in Virginia must include to be enforceable, how to document damage before moving out, and how to handle disputes without hiring a lawyer.

Whether you’re renting your first apartment in Richmond or managing your third property in Arlington, knowing Virginia rental law saves you money, stress, and time. The info here isn’t legal advice—but it’s the real-world breakdown of what the law actually says, and how to use it.