Landlord tools · Virginia

Virginia residential lease agreement.

Everything a Virginia lease must get right in 2026 — deposit limits, late fees, notice periods, and required disclosures — plus a free builder that applies each rule for you and outputs a signable PDF.

2 monthsSecurity deposit cap

45 daysDeposit return deadline

72 hrsEntry notice required

30 daysTo end month-to-month

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Security deposits in Virginia

Virginia caps security deposits at 2 months of rent. Two months' periodic rent max After the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned within 45 days. Itemized disposition within 45 days; missing deadline forfeits withholding rights Returning one now? Use the free Virginia deposit return letter generator — it computes the deadline and itemizes deductions for you.

Late fees and grace periods

Virginia limits late fees: Lesser of 10% of periodic rent or 10% of remaining balance due; must be in written lease. No grace period is required by statute, though many leases include one. No statutory grace period.

Landlord entry and notices

Landlords must give at least 72 hours' notice before entering, except in emergencies. 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by tenant. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice (30 days' written notice). No statutory period; month-to-month changes follow 30-day term-change notice. Planning an increase? The free Virginia rent increase notice generator applies the notice period automatically.

Required disclosures in a Virginia lease

Lead-based paint (federal). Required for pre-1978 housing (Required when: pre-1978 housing.)
Statement of tenant rights. DHCD-developed Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities, signed (Always required.)
First-page charge itemization. Itemize deposit components, periodic rent, and one-time charges on lease first page (Always required.)
Move-in inspection report. Condition report within 5 days of move-in (Always required.)
Visible mold. Disclose visible mold in move-in report; tenant may terminate or require remediation (Always required.)
Military air installation zone. Disclose location in noise or accident-potential zone (Required when: property in designated zone.)
Defective drywall. Disclose known defective (Chinese) drywall (Required when: known defective drywall.)
Methamphetamine manufacture. Disclose prior meth manufacture if not cleaned to state standards (Required when: known prior meth manufacture.)
Flood risk. Disclose known repetitive-flooding history or special flood hazard area location (Required when: known flood risk/zone.)
Ratio utility billing. Disclose ratio utility billing method if utilities allocated among tenants (Required when: if RUBS used.)

Clauses you can’t put in a Virginia lease

Waiver of VRLTA rights/notices
Confession of judgment
Exculpatory clauses
Unilateral fee-shifting

Utilities and pets

Utilities: Ratio utility billing must be disclosed with billing details; water/sewer charges must follow § 55.1-1212 rules. Pets: No statute on pet deposits, but total deposit including pet deposit capped at two months' rent.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Virginia?

Virginia caps security deposits at 2 months of rent. Two months' periodic rent max

How long does a Virginia landlord have to return the deposit?

45 days after the tenancy ends. Itemized disposition within 45 days; missing deadline forfeits withholding rights

Are late fees limited in Virginia?

Yes — Lesser of 10% of periodic rent or 10% of remaining balance due; must be in written lease. No statutory grace period

How much notice before a landlord can enter the unit in Virginia?

At least 72 hours, except in emergencies. 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by tenant

Does Virginia have rent control?

No statewide rent control. None; localities lack authority to impose it

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Key statutes: Va. Code § 55.1-1204 · § 55.1-1226 · § 55.1-1229 · § 55.1-1214 to -1219. Last reviewed 2026-07. This guide summarizes state law for convenience and is not legal advice; cities and counties may add their own rules.