VirginiaSB482026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (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 HB 15.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Protection for family abuse victims

Your lease does not end just because you were a victim of family abuse in your home. The abuser must be barred by the landlord or a protective order, and you must give written proof within 21 days. If the abuser returns, tell the landlord within 24 hours. If you could not, you must tell them within seven days.

14-day window to pay back rent

If your rent is unpaid, the landlord must give written notice. You have 14 days to pay before the landlord can end the lease. If a rent check bounced or an electronic transfer failed, you also have 14 days to pay by cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or a completed electronic transfer. The notice must say the lease will end if you do not pay in 14 days. In some cases, the landlord may seek costs or attorney’s fees.

21-day cure and repeat-breach rule

Landlords must give a written notice that says what you did wrong. If it can be fixed, you have 21 days to fix it. If you do not fix it, the lease can end on a date at least 30 days after you got the notice. If you fixed a past breach but later intentionally do the same kind again, the landlord can end the lease with at least 30 days’ notice.

Bigger landlord money judgments and fees

For tenant breaches, landlords can recover unpaid rent, contract charges and fees, late charges, attorney’s fees, court costs if they file, and damages to the unit. If the landlord wins in court, the judge must enter a money judgment for amounts due as of the court date. Attorney’s fees are limited if the tenant proves their failure to pay or to vacate was reasonable.

Faster evictions for dangerous or criminal acts

Landlords can end a lease right away and seek the unit if a nonremediable criminal or willful act threatens health or safety, including illegal drug activity. No criminal conviction is required; the landlord must prove the case by a preponderance of the evidence. If a guest or permitted occupant did the drug activity, the law presumes the tenant knew unless the tenant proves otherwise. The first hearing must be within 15 days of service, and any later hearing or trial within 30 days. Courts can issue temporary orders, and missing these deadlines does not dismiss the case.

Public housing recert info with notices

When a public housing authority sends a rent nonpayment notice, it must also give you written information on pink or orange paper. The notice must explain how to recertify income, report income changes, ask for a minimum rent hardship exemption, and file a grievance. The authority must post this information in common areas.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aaron R. Rouse

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 147 • No: 63

House vote 2/24/2026

Passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 34

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 15 • No: 6

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 18

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0354)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 354 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB48)

    2/26/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB48ER)

    2/26/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed House (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Reported from General Laws (15-Y 6-N)

    2/19/2026House
  14. Read first time

    2/6/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/6/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/6/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/3/2026Senate
  18. Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  19. Read second time

    2/2/2026Senate
  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    1/30/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/30/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    1/30/2026Senate
  23. Reported from General Laws and Technology (9-Y 5-N)

    1/28/2026Senate
  24. Assigned GL&T sub: Housing

    1/21/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB48)

    1/20/2026Senate

Bill Text

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