VirginiaHB152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement.

Sponsored By: Marcia S. "Cia" Price (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies; noncompliance with rental agreement; mandatory waiting period. Increases the mandatory waiting period for a landlord to pursue remedies for termination of the rental agreement from five days to 14 days. The waiting period begins after a landlord serves written notice on a tenant notifying the tenant of his nonpayment of rent and of the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid. This bill is identical to SB 48.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Immediate eviction rules for criminal activity

The law lets a landlord end a lease right away for non‑fixable criminal or willful acts that threaten health or safety. This includes illegal drug activity by a tenant, an authorized occupant, or a guest. The landlord must prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence. The tenant is presumed to know about an occupant’s or guest’s illegal drug activity unless the tenant proves otherwise. The first court hearing must be within 15 days of service; any contested trial must be within 30 days. Courts may hold earlier emergency hearings and grant interim protections. Missing these deadlines does not dismiss the case. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

14 days to pay late rent

If rent is unpaid and you get a written notice, you have 14 days to pay before the landlord can end the lease and seek possession. The same 14 days apply after a bad check, a rejected electronic payment, or a bad‑faith stop‑payment. You can cure by paying in cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or a completed electronic funds transfer. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

Lease protection for family abuse victims

Your lease does not end just because of family abuse if the abuser is barred by the landlord or a protective order. You must give written proof within 21 days. If the perpetrator returns, you must tell the landlord within 24 hours, or within seven days if you could not notify sooner. If these steps are not met, the protection does not apply. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

21‑day fix window and repeat breaches

If you break your lease in a fixable way, the landlord must give written notice. You have 21 days to fix it. If not fixed, the lease can end on a date at least 30 days after you receive the notice. If you cure by the date in the notice, the lease does not end. If you later intentionally repeat the same kind of breach after curing a prior notice, the landlord can end the lease on at least 30 days’ notice. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

What landlords can collect in court

If a tenant breaks the lease, a landlord can recover unpaid rent, contract charges and fees, late charges, and reasonable attorney fees as allowed by contract or law. If a suit is filed, the court can also award court costs and damages to the unit. When a landlord wins, the court gives a money judgment for all amounts due as of the court date. But the court must not award attorney fees if the tenant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that not paying or not leaving was reasonable. Courts can also grant injunctive relief. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

Public housing notices must explain help

When a public housing authority sends a nonpayment notice, it must include a pink or orange paper that explains how to recertify income, report income changes, ask for a minimum rent hardship, and file grievances. The authority must also post this information in every public housing community. These rules last through July 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcia S. "Cia" Price

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 70

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/2/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 63 • No: 36

House vote 1/27/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote 1/22/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0353)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 353 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB15)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB15ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  16. Reported from General Laws and Technology (9-Y 6-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Assigned GL&T sub: Housing

    2/25/2026Senate
  18. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    2/3/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/3/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (63-Y 36-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026House
  21. Read second time and engrossed

    1/30/2026House
  22. Read first time

    1/29/2026House
  23. Reported from General Laws (15-Y 6-N)

    1/27/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)

    1/22/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB15)

    1/20/2026House

Bill Text

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