Virginia Tenant Rights Laws

If you've spent any time as a renter, you know there is no shortage of issues that can come up between you and your landlord. And while many situations can be dealt with amicably, you may not know what all of your rights and obligations are. In addition to federal and local law, Virginia has its own set of rules governing this relationship. Read on to learn more about Virginia tenant rights laws and how they might affect you.

Virginia Tenant Rights: From Application to Termination

In addition to standard landlord-tenant laws, the state enacted the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Code Sections 55-248.2 through 55-248.40). These laws include many of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and apply to most residential agreements (except single-family houses if your landlord owns and rents no more than two such houses and states the exemption in your rental agreement).

Among the tenants' rights laws in Virginia are those addressing discrimination, security deposits, and living conditions. For example, it's illegal to refuse to rent to or discriminate against someone in the terms of an agreement based on that person's race, religion, age, or other protected characteristic. And all landlords must maintain their rental units in a habitable condition, which includes making necessary repairs and providing working plumbing and heat (during cold seasons).

In order to terminate your rental agreement, your landlord must give you adequate notice. And after your lease has ended and you've moved out, the landlord has 45 days to return your security deposit and provide you with an itemized list of any deductions they made for things like damages or past-due rent.

Virginia Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance

The chart below provides a summary of Virginia state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship, including links to important code sections.

Note: State regulations are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Virginia Tenant Rights Laws: Related Resources

• Virginia Lease and Rental Agreement Laws
• Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Handbook
• Tenant Lease Agreement FAQs
• Tenants' Rights Basics
• U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in Virginia
• Virginia Fair Housing Office

Get a Free Evaluation of Your Tenant Issues

We all hope our living situations are a source of peace and stability. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Whether you're wondering if it's your responsibility to make minor repairs or your landlord has locked you out of your apartment and threatened eviction, it's important to know your rights and responsibilities as a renter. Receive a free case review today to better understand Virginia tenant rights laws and what to do going forward.