Last updated: April 2026
Richmond renters are protected by Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which sets clear rules on security deposits, habitability, eviction, and more — even without local rent control.
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Richmond is Virginia's capital city and home to roughly 230,000 residents, with renters making up a substantial share of households — particularly in neighborhoods like the Fan, Church Hill, Scott's Addition, and Manchester, where the rental market has tightened significantly in recent years. Tenants in Richmond frequently search for information about rent increases, security deposit returns, and what their landlords are legally required to do when something breaks.
Richmond has no local rent control ordinance, and state law now prohibits any Virginia locality from enacting one. However, renters in Richmond are not without protections. Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA), codified at Va. Code §§ 55.1-1200 through 55.1-1262, establishes enforceable baseline rights covering habitability, security deposits, notice requirements, retaliation, and the eviction process.
This page summarizes the tenant rights laws that apply to Richmond renters as of April 2026. It is intended as an educational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, contact a licensed attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed below.
Richmond has no rent control, and Virginia state law prohibits any locality from enacting it. In 2023, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation codified at Va. Code § 55.1-1237.1, which expressly preempts any city, county, or town from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing rent control ordinances or caps on rental rates. This reversed a brief window — created in 2020 — during which certain Northern Virginia localities had been granted authority to consider local rent control measures.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Richmond can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance notice. There is no cap on how much rents can increase, no required justification for a rent hike, and no government body in Richmond that reviews or approves rent increases. If you receive a rent increase notice you cannot afford, your main options are negotiating with your landlord, looking for alternative housing, or — if the increase is retaliatory — asserting your rights under Va. Code § 55.1-1258.
Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) provides the primary framework of tenant protections applicable in Richmond. Below are the key protections renters should know.
Habitability & Repairs (Va. Code § 55.1-1234): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, including functioning plumbing, heating, and structural safety. To trigger repair obligations, a tenant must give written notice to the landlord. Once notified, the landlord has 30 days to complete non-emergency repairs, or 14 days for conditions that constitute an emergency. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may pursue remedies including rent escrow (paying rent into court rather than to the landlord), termination of the lease, or a civil action for damages.
Security Deposit Rules (Va. Code § 55.1-1226): Security deposits are capped at two months' rent. Landlords must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 45 days of the tenancy ending and possession being returned. Wrongful withholding can entitle the tenant to recover the withheld amount plus damages. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice to Terminate (Va. Code § 55.1-1253): For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the rental agreement. The tenant must provide the same 30 days' notice to the landlord. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (Va. Code § 55.1-1258): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising legal rights — such as reporting housing code violations to a government agency, complaining to the landlord about conditions, or organizing with other tenants. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction within 90 days of a protected activity. A tenant facing retaliation may assert it as a defense in any eviction proceeding and may recover damages.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1): It is illegal in Virginia for a landlord to attempt to remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities without going through the court eviction process. A tenant who is illegally locked out or has utilities cut off may recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees by suing in general district court.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1226, Richmond landlords who collect a security deposit are subject to the following rules:
Cap: A security deposit cannot exceed two months' rent. If a landlord charges more, the excess amount must be refunded to the tenant.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends and the tenant surrenders possession, the landlord has 45 days to either return the full deposit or provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The statement must describe each item of damage and the cost of repair or cleaning attributed to it, beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 45 days without just cause, the tenant is entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount. Courts may also award additional damages depending on the circumstances of the violation. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out — with timestamped photos and a written move-in checklist — to strengthen any deposit dispute.
Interest: Virginia does not require landlords to hold security deposits in interest-bearing accounts or pay interest on deposits.
In Richmond, a landlord must follow the court-based eviction process established under the VRLTA and Virginia's unlawful detainer statutes (Va. Code §§ 55.1-1245 through 55.1-1249 and § 8.01-126). There is no shortcut — self-help eviction is illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice depending on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Unlawful Detainer: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer action in the Richmond General District Court, located at 400 North 9th Street. The tenant will be served with a summons and a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both parties present their case. Tenants may raise defenses such as payment of rent, uninhabitable conditions, or retaliation. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment of possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not vacate after the judgment, the landlord must obtain a writ of possession. Only a sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant — not the landlord or a private agent.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1): A landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or removes the tenant's belongings outside of the court process commits an illegal lockout. Tenants who experience this may sue for actual damages and attorney's fees.
No. Richmond has no rent control ordinance, and Virginia state law prohibits all localities from enacting rent control under Va. Code § 55.1-1237.1, enacted in 2023. This means landlords in Richmond may raise rents by any amount, subject only to providing proper notice before a lease term ends or a month-to-month tenancy changes.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Richmond. Because Virginia's statewide preemption statute (Va. Code § 55.1-1237.1) bars any locality from capping rents, your landlord may raise your rent by any amount at lease renewal. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (Va. Code § 55.1-1253). If you believe a rent increase is retaliation for complaining about conditions or exercising a legal right, you may have a defense under Va. Code § 55.1-1258.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1226, your landlord has 45 days after your tenancy ends and you return possession to refund your security deposit along with a written, itemized list of any deductions. Deductions may only be taken for damages beyond normal wear and tear and other costs permitted under your lease. If the landlord misses the deadline or withholds funds without justification, you may be entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages.
The notice required depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate (Va. Code § 55.1-1245). For a remediable lease violation, a 30-day notice to fix the issue or leave is required (Va. Code § 55.1-1246). To end a month-to-month tenancy without fault, at least 30 days' written notice is required (Va. Code § 55.1-1253). After proper notice, the landlord must still file an unlawful detainer action in Richmond General District Court if you do not leave voluntarily.
No. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities to force you out — is illegal in Virginia under Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1. Only a court order and a sheriff's deputy can lawfully remove you from your home. If your landlord locks you out or cuts utilities without a court order, you can sue for actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1234, your landlord is legally required to maintain your unit in a habitable condition. Start by putting your repair request in writing and keeping a copy. Once you give written notice, the landlord has 30 days to complete non-emergency repairs (or 14 days for emergencies). If the landlord fails to act, you may have grounds to pursue rent escrow — paying rent into court rather than to the landlord — or to terminate your lease. You can also file a complaint with Richmond's Department of Housing and Community Development or contact a local legal aid organization for help.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal issue — including an eviction, security deposit dispute, or habitability problem — you should consult a licensed Virginia attorney or contact a legal aid organization in the Richmond area. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the completeness or accuracy of this information after its publication date of April 2026.
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