What Are The Recent Changes to Virginia’s Landlord-Tenant Laws?

July 1 annually, Virginia’s newly codified laws become effective. Virginia’s most recent amendments to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act became effective last month.

The amendments include:

·       Notice of cure periods for monetary defaults are now 14 days rather than 5 days.

·       Landlords are now required to accept payment of rent and security deposit by check and money order.

·       If landlords charge fees in collection of rent, landlords must only pass along the third-party charge they pay for processing payment via credit card, debit card or electronic payment, and cannot add any additional fees payable to landlords themselves.

·       Landlords can now only charge for damages caused by a tenant and not charge deductibles for any wear and tear damage that may occur.

Do be sure to update your residential lease form!

The material on this website is not offered as legal advice on any matter and should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional legal advice.