Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law 2026: Rights, Responsibilities & Compliance

Staying compliant with Virginia landlord-tenant law is critical for protecting your investment. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) governs most residential rental relationships in the state. Here are the key requirements property owners need to know in 2026.

Lease Requirements

Virginia has specific disclosure and notice duties, including management/owner identification and move-in condition and mold reporting. Requirements differ in timing and applicability; not every disclosure belongs in every lease. The statute does not impose a general duty on self-managing landlords to disclose a security-deposit bank account. Use our disclosure requirements guide to identify the relevant duty and deadline.

Security Deposits

The total security deposit cannot exceed two months' rent. The VRLTA does not impose a universal separate-escrow-account requirement on self-managing owners; licensed real estate firms have separate escrow duties under Real Estate Board regulations. Give written itemization and any balance due within 45 days after the later of tenancy termination or vacating, subject to statutory exceptions. Follow the tenant-attendance and inspection-notice requirements as well.

Maintenance Obligations

Landlords must maintain the property in a fit and habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electrical, and structural integrity. Tenants may have remedies such as a tenant's assertion and payment of rent into court under §55.1-1244 when its conditions are met. This is not permission to simply stop paying rent; written notice, payment and court-procedure requirements matter.

Entry and Access

Virginia's entry rule (§ 55.1-1229) is more specific than the "24 hours" rule of thumb many landlords carry around. Except in an emergency, the landlord must give notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. For routine maintenance the tenant did not request, at least 72 hours' notice is required. No notice is needed when the tenant requested the maintenance visit.

Eviction Process

Virginia requires different notices depending on the ground for termination. The current nonpayment notice under §55.1-1245(F) is 14 days. A remediable material breach generally uses a 21-day cure period and a termination date at least 30 days after receipt of the notice; nonremediable, repeated or specified serious violations have different rules. Have counsel identify the applicable procedure. Use the court and sheriff process to recover disputed possession, not a lockout or utility shutoff.

Fair Housing Compliance

Federal and Virginia fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, elderliness, and source of funds. All marketing, screening, and tenant interactions must comply.

Professional property management ensures compliance with all of these requirements. Contact Century 21 Accent Homes to learn how we protect your investment while staying fully compliant.