What law in virginia addresses landlord tenant issues. Legal aid works, 20182019 guide to virginia landlordtenant law. A limited number of properties are exempt from the act. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta handbook has been prepared to provide information on the rights, remedies and responsibilities of. Virginia residential landlord and tenant handbook handbook has been prepared to provide information on the rights, remedies, and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process. Tenants moving in must be notified of any planned conversion in the next 6 months that would displace them. If tenant moves early anyway, tenant should give landlord a 30 day advance written notice and rent for the 30 day period. Read on to learn more about virginia tenant rights laws and how they might affect you. The landlord and the tenant may agree in writing to early termination of a rental agreement. Virginia state law limits how much a landlord can charge for a security deposit two months rent, when it must be returned within 45 days after a tenant moves, and sets other restrictions on deposits.
Virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta. Sources of law virginia residential landlord tenant act vrlta. The virginia residential landlord and te nant act hereafter vrlta handbook has been prepared to provide information on the rights, remedies, and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process. This 12month period, during which a landlord can trigger an eviction hangs, over the head of the tenant even if all rent has been paid current and the tenant is following the lease. Provide a certificate to the tenant stating that all smoke alarms are present, have been inspected, and are in good working order no more than once every 12 months. The tenant may assert that there exists upon the leased premises a condition that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with provisions of law or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants of the premises. Legal aid works, 20182019 guide to virginia landlord tenant law 8 if a tenant allows insurance required by the rental agreement to lapse the landlord may provide any landlord s renters insurance to cover the tenant. This pdf presentation will provide an overview of the basics of virginia. Virginia residential landlord and tenant act washington and lee. Landlord and tenant act of 1951 article 1 preliminary provisions section 250. Following is a summary of key virginia tenantlandlord laws.
Under current law, once a landlord gets a judgment of possession, the landlord can use that for up to 12 months before getting the writ of eviction. Code of virginia virginia residential landlord an d tenant act 55248. The specific rights you have depend on whether or not your tenancy is covered by the virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta. The landlord, his employee, or an independent contractor may perform the inspection to. Before signing a lease, prospective tenants should read and understand the terms of the contract. If landlord is a natural person, an estate, or a legal entity owning no more than 2 singlefamily residential dwelling units in its. Vrlta applies to all apartment rentals in virginia where the landlord owns three properties or more. Effective october 1, 2019 early termination of rental agreement by. You must follow the law to get bad rental housing repaired. Short title this chapter may be cited as the virginia residential landlord an d tenant act or the virginia rental housing act.
Free virginia residential rental lease agreement pdf. Read on to learn about landlord responsibilities and tenant rights when it comes to mold in virginia rental properties. The vrlta specifies both tenant and landlord responsibilities. The vrlta establishes the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in virginia. The landlord in charge of renting out a residential property to an interested party will present this document to a prospective tenant after having vetted them using a. The landlord may not charge any liquidated damages. See virginia security deposit limits and deadlines for more on the subject. Once the report is generated youll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report. Property and conveyances repealed effective october 1, 2019 chapter. In addition to standard landlord tenant laws, the state enacted the virginia residential landlord and tenant act code sections 55248. How these duties are divided depends on whether your rental housing is covered by the virginia residential landlord tenant act vrlta.
Only the courts can enforce those rights and responsibilities. A tenant may recover damages and attorneys fees against a landlord who brings an action attempting to enforce a provision prohibited by vrlta. Virginia landlord tenant laws are set forth in the code of virginia, title 55, chapter. In addition, it will provide resources to assist you in finding more information on tenant and landlord laws in west virginia, a checklist to use before moving in, and information on the fair housing act and how it. Disclosure at the time of movein, the landlord must give the tenant written notice of the name and address of. If the lease says nothing specific about the sale of the property, then the virginia residential landlord tenant act vrlta applies and the tenant has all the rights normally granted. Your rights as a tenant virginia legal aid society. What type of notice does a landlord have circumstance you. Courts in virginia have recognized two common legal selfhelp strategies that some tenants choose to pursue following a mold outbreak in. Landlords should also familiarize themselves with the virginia consumer protection act, to avoid additional liability.
This residential lease lease is made on, by and between landlord and tenant who, among other things, hereby acknowledge, by their signatures below that in this real estate. Property and conveyances effective october 1, 2019 chapter 12. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta handbook has been prepared to provide information on the rights, remedies and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process. This publication will describe both tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. The virginia standard residential lease agreement is a legal contract negotiated between two parties. Though a contract between a landlord and a tenant may be verbal, you will want to clearly set forth the rights, duties and obligations of both parties in a. Virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta the virginia residential landlord and tenant act is located in chapter 12 of the code of virginia. However, landlord can hold tenant legally responsible for rent for the remainder of the lease period. Virginia rules regarding mold in rental properties nolo. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta, sections 55. Virginia landlord tenant law tenant screening, landlord. An heir, devisee, grantee or assignee of any land let to lease, or of the reversion thereof, and his heirs, personal representative or assigns, shall enjoy against the. The statutes provide the laws, rights and responsibilities of the parties to a landlord tenant relationship. The vrlta establishes the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in all jurisdictions throughout virginia.
To fix problems that make a home unsafe, the law divides the duties between the landlord and the tenant. The tenant will have to pay that coverage until they provide written documentation of a reinstated insurance. Lease common law this lease is not governed by the virginia residential landlord tenant act thisresidentialleaseleaseismadeon effectivedatebyandbetween landlord and tenant who acknowledge by their signatures below that in this real estate leasing transaction, listingcompanyrepresentslandlord,and. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta, sections 55248. The tenant lessee has the same rights against the new owner grantee as she had against the original owner grantor. It contains provisions for interest to be paid on security.
Your rights as a tenant under virginia law, tenants have certain rights when they move in, while they are renting, and before they can be evicted. Nothing in this section shall affect the tenants obligations established by 55. If the property is sold, the landlord must notify the tenant of the name, address, and phone number of the new owner. Short title this act shall be known and may be cited as the landlord and tenant act of 1951. Effective july 1, 2017, all tenancies covered by vrlta or va llt law. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act hereafter vrlta handbook has been prepared to provide information on the rights, remedies, and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process. Free virginia rental lease agreement templates pdf. Landlord and tenant, and the virginia uniform statewide building code. Definitions as used in this act abandoned mobile home means the vacating of a mobile home by a resident.
Virginia residential landlord and tenant act check out all the details about your rights as a renter and your responsibilities. Landlord tenant handbook dhcd virginia department of. Rights of parties on transfer of land or reversion. Generally speaking, the virginia residential landlord tenant act, or vrlta, applies to. Prior to the termination date, the tenant shall furnish the landlord with a copy of the official notification of the orders or a signed letter, confirming the orders, from the tenants commanding officer. Before signing a lease, prospective tenants should read and understand the. Virginia cooperative extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion. This applies to rental properties covered by the virginia residential landlord tenant act vrlta and to mobile home parks covered by the manufactured home lot rental act mhlra. The vrlta supersedes all local, county, and municipal landlord and tenant.
Weve used the official state statutes and other online sources cited below to research this information and it should be a good starting point in learning about the law with that said, our summary is not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for qualified legal advice. This article summarizes some key virginia landlord tenant laws applicable to residential rental units. Virginia, generally known as the virginia residential landlord tenant act. The virginia residential landlord and tenant act act, sections 55248. A landlord shall provide a tenant with a written receipt, upon request of the tenant, whenever the tenant pays rent in the form of cash or a money order. Pdf as published by the virginia department of agriculture and consumer. After landlord knows tenant is moving, landlord has a duty to find another tenant and mitigate damages.
The vrlta covers most residential rental agreements. A landlord can keep your guest from coming to the house or apartment that you rent if that person breaks the rules in the lease or breaks the law. Code of virginia virginia residential landlord and tenant act. Virginia residential lease agreements are governed by the virginia residential landlord and tenant act vrlta. Proposed chapter 12 virginia residential landlord and tenant act contains the provisions of existing chapter.
661 560 495 1221 1050 657 95 1474 1022 399 497 1047 475 685 86 975 750 764 1203 1577 492 1541 46 164 468 1371 1416 76 566 784 131 637 430 534 389 133 1343 1363 1649 908 46 641 860 915 950 402 298 86 1249 397