VirginiaHB6782026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; terms and conditions of rental agreement.

Sponsored By: Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; terms and conditions of rental agreement; notice of rent increase. Requires a landlord who owns more than four rental dwelling units or more than a 10 percent interest in more than four rental dwelling units, whether individually or through a business entity, in the Commonwealth to provide a tenant with written notice of any increase in rent for the subsequent rental agreement term at least 90 days prior to the end of such term and to include in such notice a deadline, which shall be no sooner than 30 days after such notice is delivered, by which the tenant shall advise the landlord of whether the tenant will renew the rental agreement. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

90-day notice for rent increases

Beginning July 1, 2027, larger landlords (more than four units or more than a 10% interest in more than four) must give written notice of any rent increase at least 90 days before your lease ends. The notice must give you at least 30 days to decide on renewal. If they will not renew your lease, they must give 60 days’ written notice. These rules apply when your lease has a renewal option or an automatic renewal and do not apply to certain periodic tenancies under state law.

Limits on rent fees and charges

Beginning July 1, 2027, a landlord can charge a late fee only if the lease allows it. Any late fee is capped at the lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of what you still owe. If you pay rent in cash or by money order and ask, the landlord must give a written receipt. Landlords cannot add collection or processing fees for rent, deposits, or other tenant fees unless they also offer a no-fee way to pay. Electronic copies of required documents must be free when you ask.

Default rules when no written lease

Beginning July 1, 2027, if a landlord does not offer a written lease, the law creates a 12-month tenancy. Rent is split into 12 equal monthly payments, due on the 1st and late after the 5th. The security deposit cannot be more than two months’ rent. In other cases, weekly payers have week-to-week tenancies and others have month-to-month, unless the lease says otherwise. State notice and end-of-tenancy rules apply unless the lease sets a different notice.

Written leases and tenant rights notice

Beginning July 1, 2027, landlords must offer a written lease and give the official tenant rights form. They must give you copies of the signed lease and the rights form within 10 business days after the lease starts. A landlord cannot file or keep an eviction case until you have the rights form. You may ask once a year for a free paper copy or ask anytime for a free electronic copy. If you ask in writing, the landlord must also provide a written list of all charges and payments for your tenancy or the last 12 months within 10 business days.

Small landlords not required to take cards

Beginning July 1, 2027, landlords who own four or fewer rental units, or own up to 10% of four or fewer units, do not have to accept debit or credit cards for rent or security deposits. They may still accept cards if they choose.

Lease terms, changes and subletting

Beginning July 1, 2027, your lease can include any terms not barred by law, like rent, late fees, renewal, and notice rules. No one can change a material lease term alone; both sides must agree in writing after proper notice. If your lease lets the landlord approve a subtenant or assignee, the landlord must approve or deny your written application within 10 business days. If they do not answer in 10 business days, the request counts as approved.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michelle Lopes Maldonado

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 344 • No: 112

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 22 • No: 17

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 69 • No: 27

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate amendment agreed to by House

Yes: 73 • No: 25

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with amendment

Yes: 22 • No: 18

Senate vote 3/10/2026

General Laws and Technology Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

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 with amendment

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/16/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 79 • No: 19

House vote 2/10/2026

Reported from General Laws with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  2. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (69-Y 27-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1066)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB678ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1066 (Effective 1/1/2027)

    4/22/2026Governor
  6. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  7. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  8. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  9. Governor's recommendation received by House

    4/11/2026Governor
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB678)

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

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

    3/31/2026House
  13. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  14. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB678ER)

    3/30/2026House
  15. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  16. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  17. Senate amendment agreed to by House (73-Y 25-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  18. Passed Senate with amendment (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. General Laws and Technology Amendment agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/10/2026Senate
  21. Read third time

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

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

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

    3/6/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

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