How much notice is required to raise rent in Virginia?
30 days notice
- 30 days notice for month-to-month
- No rent control
- Lease terms control
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1204
Know your rights as a renter in Virginia. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Virginia law.
Legal basis: Virginia landlord-tenant law — Virginia Code
45
Days to Return Deposit
2 months' rent
Max Deposit
72h
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
What Virginia law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
2 months' rent
Return Deadline
45 days
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Virginia law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord may owe the full deposit plus actual damages and attorney fees if they fail to return within 45 days.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
No statutory grace period. § 55.1-1204(E) caps the late fee at 10% but does not mandate a grace period; the 5th-of-month default in § 55.1-1204(C) applies only to tenancies with no written rental agreement.
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
72 hours
72 hours for routine maintenance; 'reasonable notice' for other entries (VA Code § 55.1-1229)
In Virginia, your landlord must provide proper notice before entering your rental unit, except in genuine emergencies. This protects your right to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of your home.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
30 days notice
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1204
30 days
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1215
Protected
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1258
Early termination
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1236
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1243
Important facts about Virginia rental law
Virginia limits security deposits to 2 months' rent.
Virginia landlords must return deposits within 45 days of move-out.
Virginia requires landlords to pay interest on deposits in certain localities.
Virginia tenants have a right to a written lease for tenancies over 1 year.
Common questions about Virginia tenant rights
In Virginia, the security deposit limit is 2 months' rent.
Virginia landlords must return security deposits within 45 days after you move out.
In Virginia, landlords must provide 72 hours notice before entering your rental unit (72 hours for routine maintenance; 'reasonable notice' for other entries (VA Code § 55.1-1229)).
Late fees in Virginia: Lesser of 10% of periodic rent or 10% of remaining balance due. No statutory grace period. § 55.1-1204(E) caps the late fee at 10% but does not mandate a grace period; the 5th-of-month default in § 55.1-1204(C) applies only to tenancies with no written rental agreement..
30 days notice. 30 days notice for month-to-month. No rent control. Lease terms control. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1204.
30 days. Landlord must maintain habitability. 30 days to repair. Rent escrow available. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1215.
Protected. Retaliation prohibited. Cannot evict for complaints. Document communications. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1258.
Early termination. Can terminate early. Documentation required. No penalty. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1236.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Utility shutoffs prohibited. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1243.
Virginia tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey™ to analyze your specific lease against Virginia law.
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