Virginia Landlord‑Tenant Law: Your Quick Guide

If you rent or own a rental property in Virginia, you’ve probably heard the term “landlord‑tenant law” and wondered what it really means. The short answer: it’s the set of rules that tell both sides what they can do and what they can’t. Knowing these rules helps you avoid expensive mistakes, keep your relationship smooth, and stay on the right side of the courts.

Key Rights for Tenants

First up, what can you expect as a tenant? In Virginia, you have the right to a safe, habitable home. That means the landlord must keep heating, plumbing, electricity, and structural elements in good working order. If something breaks, you can give a written notice and the landlord has 5 days to fix it (or 14 days for non‑essential repairs).

Security deposits are another hot topic. Virginia law caps the deposit at one month’s rent, and the landlord must return it within 30 days after you move out, minus any legitimate deductions. Those deductions have to be itemized in writing.

When it comes to eviction, the process is strict. A landlord can’t just change the lock or turn off the power. They must give you a written notice—usually 5 days for non‑payment of rent and 30 days for a month‑to‑month lease termination. If they skip the notice, the eviction can be thrown out in court.

What Landlords Can and Can’t Do

Landlords, your biggest no‑nos are illegal entry and illegal rent hikes. You must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering a unit, unless it’s an emergency. Entering without notice can lead to tenant complaints and possible damages.

Virginia doesn’t have statewide rent control, but local jurisdictions like Arlington have their own limits. In most of the state, you can raise rent once a year, but you must give the tenant a written notice 60 days before the increase takes effect. Raising rent without notice or doing it more than once per lease term is a violation.

Month‑to‑month leases are popular in Virginia. They are easy to end: either party can give a 30‑day written notice. However, you can’t use a month‑to‑month agreement to dodge local ordinances or to charge extra fees that aren’t in the lease.

Both parties should keep a copy of the signed lease and any addenda. If a dispute pops up, the written lease is the first piece of evidence a judge will look at. When in doubt, write it down—email works, but a signed paper copy is safest.

Finally, if you ever feel the law is on the other side, Virginia has a tenant‑landlord hotline and free legal aid clinics in many cities. It’s cheaper to ask for help early than to fight a court battle later.

Bottom line: Virginia’s landlord‑tenant law tries to balance the power between tenants and landlords. Knowing your rights, giving proper notice, and keeping everything in writing will keep you out of trouble and make renting smoother for everyone.