Virginia Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Virginia has no rent control anywhere in the state as of 2023. While some Northern Virginia localities previously had local authority to pass rent control, the 2023 General Assembly reversed that. Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides solid baseline protections.

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Virginia at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Virginia enacted statewide preemption of rent control in 2023 (Va. Code § 55.1-1237.1), prohibiting any locality from imposing rent controls.

What Protections Virginia Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Virginia law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent. Landlords must return the deposit within 45 days of move-out with an itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles you to the deposit amount plus damages (Va. Code § 55.1-1226).

Notice to Terminate

Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy (Va. Code § 55.1-1253).

Repairs & Habitability

Virginia's VRLTA requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions. After written notice, landlords have 30 days (or 14 days for emergencies) to make repairs. Remedies include rent escrow and lease termination (Va. Code § 55.1-1234).

Retaliation Protection

Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights by raising rent or initiating eviction (Va. Code § 55.1-1258).

Lockout Prohibition

Self-help eviction is illegal in Virginia. Landlords must go through the unlawful detainer process. A tenant who is illegally locked out may recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees (Va. Code § 55.1-1243.1).

Major Cities in Virginia

Virginia Beach — No rent control; Virginia state preemption prohibits it.
Norfolk — No rent control; Virginia state preemption prohibits it.
Chesapeake — No rent control; Virginia state preemption prohibits it.
Richmond — No rent control; Virginia state preemption prohibits it (as of 2023).
Arlington — No rent control; Virginia state preemption prohibits it (as of 2023; Arlington had previously been authorized to pass it).

Virginia Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Virginia renters:

Legal Services of Northern Virginia — Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of Northern Virginia, including housing and eviction defense.
Legal Aid Justice Center — Free civil legal services for low-income Virginians in Richmond and Charlottesville, including housing cases.
Virginia Poverty Law Center — Statewide advocacy on housing and poverty issues; provides guidance on Virginia tenant rights.
Richmond Tenants Union — Tenant organizing and advocacy for Richmond-area renters.

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