Landlord Obligations in Virginia: What You Must Do as a Renter or Owner

When you rent a home in Virginia, a U.S. state with specific rental laws that protect both tenants and property owners. Also known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, it enforces clear rules on how landlords must maintain and manage rental properties. These aren’t suggestions—they’re legally required. If you’re a landlord, ignoring them can lead to fines, lawsuits, or losing your right to evict. If you’re a tenant, knowing them helps you push back when things go wrong.

Virginia law says landlords must provide a habitable home. That means working heat in winter, clean water, no pest infestations, and structural safety. You can’t just fix things when the tenant complains—you have to keep them in good shape. Repairs aren’t optional. If the roof leaks, the heater breaks, or the electrical system is unsafe, you must act fast. And you can’t charge the tenant for repairs that are your responsibility. The state also requires landlords to return security deposits within 45 days after move-out, with a written breakdown of any deductions. No vague excuses. No holding money just because you feel like it.

Another big one: notice before entry. Landlords in Virginia can’t walk into a rental unit anytime they want. You need at least 24 hours’ notice for non-emergencies, and only for valid reasons like inspections, repairs, or showing the property to new tenants. No surprise visits. No intimidation. Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment. If you’ve ever seen a post about Maryland landlord entry, rules that require advance notice and limit access to specific situations, you’ll notice Virginia follows a similar pattern. But Virginia’s rules are stricter on deposit handling and repair timelines.

There’s no statewide rent control, but that doesn’t mean you can raise rent anytime. You must give at least 30 days’ notice before increasing rent on a month-to-month lease. For fixed-term leases, you can’t raise rent until the lease ends—unless the lease says otherwise. And you can’t retaliate. If a tenant reports a code violation, you can’t kick them out, raise their rent, or cut services. That’s illegal under Virginia’s anti-retaliation law.

What about discrimination? Virginia follows federal fair housing rules and adds its own protections. You can’t refuse to rent based on race, religion, gender, disability, familial status, or source of income—like Section 8 vouchers. More landlords are getting hit with lawsuits over this. And if you’re managing a property in Virginia, you need to know about the Virginia Housing grant eligibility, state programs that help low-income renters and first-time buyers access safe housing. Even if you’re not offering those programs, understanding them helps you avoid bias in screening.

Landlord obligations in Virginia aren’t complicated, but they’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. It’s not about being nice—it’s about being legal. And the consequences for skipping steps are real. Whether you’re a new landlord trying to get it right or a tenant who’s tired of being ignored, the posts below give you the exact rules, real examples, and practical steps to protect your rights. No fluff. No legalese. Just what you need to know.