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 daysafter the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later
Interest on deposits not required
Separate escrow account not required
Deposit & Fee Details
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Virginia law
Security deposit protections
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
Late-fee rules
Grace period
Virginia law sets no grace period for written leases.
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Governing statute: Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)
Landlord Entry Rights
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
72 hours
for routine maintenance you did not request; other entries need notice at reasonable times (Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A))
In Virginia, this notice does not apply to every entry. Virginia's 72 hours is the notice for routine maintenance you did not ask for (Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A)(4)). For other entries the landlord must tell you it intends to enter and come only at reasonable times, with no set number of hours. Entry you asked for, such as a repair you requested, is entry with consent and is not held to the figure.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
More Virginia Tenant Protections
How much notice is required to raise rent in Virginia?
30 days (60 at renewal, larger landlords)
•Month-to-month after your lease ends: new rent starts on the next rent due date at least 30 days after written notice (Va. Code § 55.1-1253(D))
•A landlord with more than four rental units must give written notice of a renewal increase at least 60 days before your lease ends (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(K))
•From July 1, 2027, that renewal notice becomes 90 days (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(K))
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in Virginia?
14 days to start repairs
•Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable, with running water, hot water and heat in season (VA Code § 55.1-1220)
•After written notice of a serious problem like no heat, water, electricity or sewage, or rodents, the landlord must take reasonable steps to fix it within 14 days (VA Code § 55.1-1244.1(B))
•If not, you may hire a licensed contractor and deduct up to one month's rent or $1,500, whichever is greater, with receipts (VA Code § 55.1-1244.1(C))
•Rent escrow: pay rent into general district court; a delay of more than 30 days after notice is presumed unreasonable (VA Code § 55.1-1244)
•Or give written notice ending the lease in 30 days if the problem is not fixed within 21 days (VA Code § 55.1-1234)
Legal basis: VA Code §§ 55.1-1220, 55.1-1244.1, 55.1-1244, 55.1-1234
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in Virginia?
Protected
•Retaliation prohibited
•Cannot evict for complaints
•Document communications
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1258
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Virginia?
28 days after notice
•A victim of family abuse, sexual abuse or assault, stalking or trafficking may end the lease with written notice taking effect 28 days after it is served
•Include a protective order obtained during the lease, or a conviction or charging document
•Rent is due through the end date and no liquidated damages may be charged; co-tenants stay liable
Legal basis: VA Code § 55.1-1236
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in Virginia?
Self-help illegal
•A landlord may not take back your home by cutting off an essential service, or by refusing you access unless a court has ordered possession (VA Code § 55.1-1252)
•Court process required
•If you are locked out or an essential service is cut off, you can petition the general district court; the first hearing is within 5 calendar days (VA Code § 55.1-1243.1)
•You can recover your actual damages, plus statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent (whichever is greater), and reasonable attorney fees (VA Code § 55.1-1243.1(D))
Legal basis: VA Code §§ 55.1-1252, 55.1-1243.1
Did You Know?
Important facts about Virginia rental law
1
Virginia limits security deposits to 2 months' rent.
2
Virginia landlords must return deposits within 45 days of move-out.
3
Virginia's deposit law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
4
Virginia tenants have a right to a written lease for tenancies over 1 year.
In Virginia, the security deposit limit is 2 months' rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Virginia?
Virginia landlords must return security deposits within 45 days after you move out (after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later).
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in Virginia?
In Virginia, landlords must give 72 hours' notice before entering your rental unit (for routine maintenance you did not request; other entries need notice at reasonable times (Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A))).
How much can a landlord charge for a late fee in Virginia?
Late fees in Virginia: Lesser of 10% of periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due. Virginia law sets no grace period for written leases..
How much notice is required to raise rent in Virginia?
30 days (60 at renewal, larger landlords). Month-to-month after your lease ends: new rent starts on the next rent due date at least 30 days after written notice (Va. Code § 55.1-1253(D)). A landlord with more than four rental units must give written notice of a renewal increase at least 60 days before your lease ends (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(K)). From July 1, 2027, that renewal notice becomes 90 days (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(K)). No statewide rent cap. Source: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1253(D), 55.1-1204(K).
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in Virginia?
14 days to start repairs. Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable, with running water, hot water and heat in season (VA Code § 55.1-1220). After written notice of a serious problem like no heat, water, electricity or sewage, or rodents, the landlord must take reasonable steps to fix it within 14 days (VA Code § 55.1-1244.1(B)). If not, you may hire a licensed contractor and deduct up to one month's rent or $1,500, whichever is greater, with receipts (VA Code § 55.1-1244.1(C)). Rent escrow: pay rent into general district court; a delay of more than 30 days after notice is presumed unreasonable (VA Code § 55.1-1244). Or give written notice ending the lease in 30 days if the problem is not fixed within 21 days (VA Code § 55.1-1234). Source: VA Code §§ 55.1-1220, 55.1-1244.1, 55.1-1244, 55.1-1234.
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in Virginia?
Protected. Retaliation prohibited. Cannot evict for complaints. Document communications. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1258.
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Virginia?
28 days after notice. A victim of family abuse, sexual abuse or assault, stalking or trafficking may end the lease with written notice taking effect 28 days after it is served. Include a protective order obtained during the lease, or a conviction or charging document. Rent is due through the end date and no liquidated damages may be charged; co-tenants stay liable. Source: VA Code § 55.1-1236.
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in Virginia?
Self-help illegal. A landlord may not take back your home by cutting off an essential service, or by refusing you access unless a court has ordered possession (VA Code § 55.1-1252). Court process required. If you are locked out or an essential service is cut off, you can petition the general district court; the first hearing is within 5 calendar days (VA Code § 55.1-1243.1). You can recover your actual damages, plus statutory damages of $5,000 or four months' rent (whichever is greater), and reasonable attorney fees (VA Code § 55.1-1243.1(D)). Source: VA Code §§ 55.1-1252, 55.1-1243.1.
What are my rights as a tenant in Virginia?
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.
More for Virginia renters
Common tenant-rights questions
Plain-language answers that apply in Virginia and beyond