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    Virginia Rent Increase Law

    Virginia requires at least 30 days' notice before a rent increase takes effect, and longer notice in some cases. Virginia has no rent control and bars cities and counties from adopting it.

    Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    Virginia rent increase rules at a glance

    Upcoming change

    • Landlords with more than four units must give written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before the lease term ends, with a renewal-response deadline at least 30 days after delivery; nonrenewal notice stays at 60 days. Effective (2026 HB 678 (2026 Va. Acts ch. 1066)).
    Notice of a rent increase30 days (Month-to-month/holdover: new rent takes effect on the next rent due date at least 30 days after written notice. Landlords with more than 4 units (or >10% interest in more than 4) must give 60 days' written notice before the lease term ends of any rent increase for a renewing or auto-renewing lease (90 days from July 1, 2027))Va. Code § 55.1-1253(D), Va. Code § 55.1-1204(K)
    Rent controlNone; cities barred from adopting itVa. Code § 55.1-1201(A), (E)
    Ending a month-to-month tenancy30 days (either side)Va. Code § 55.1-1253(A), (B)

    What Virginia law says

    How much notice is required for a rent increase in Virginia?

    For month-to-month tenants, a written rent increase takes effect no sooner than the next rent due date at least 30 days after notice, and landlords with more than four units must give 60 days' written notice before a renewing lease ends (Va. Code §§ 55.1-1253(D), 55.1-1204(K)) (Va. Code § 55.1-1253(D)).

    Does Virginia have rent control?

    Virginia has no rent control, and the VRLTA supersedes local landlord-tenant ordinances, so landlords may set rent at lease renewal subject only to the notice rules (Va. Code § 55.1-1201(A), (E)).

    How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Virginia?

    Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice served at least 30 days before the next rent due date, unless the lease sets a different period (Va. Code § 55.1-1253(A)) (Va. Code § 55.1-1253(A), (B)).

    How Virginia compares

    12 of 51 verified jurisdictions require more than 30 days.

    None of Virginia's 6 neighbors follows the same rule.

    Rent-increase noticeStates
    30 days (more in some cases)Virginia
    No statewide periodKentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
    90 days (more in some cases)Maryland
    60 days (more in some cases)District of Columbia

    Local rules in Virginia

    The VRLTA applies statewide and supersedes local ordinances on landlord-tenant relations (Va. Code § 55.1-1201(E)); localities may run voluntary mediation commissions and enforce property-maintenance codes, but no Virginia locality has rent control.

    Other Virginia rules

    Security deposit limit2 months' rentVa. Code § 55.1-1226(A), Va. Code § 55.1-1206(A), (C), Va. Code § 55.1-1208(A)(7)
    Deposit return deadline45 days after the triggering eventVa. Code § 55.1-1226(A), Va. Code § 55.1-1226(E)
    Late-fee capLesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due and owed; only if the written lease provides for itVa. Code § 55.1-1204(E)
    Entry notice72 hours' noticeVa. Code § 55.1-1229(A)(4)
    Notice for unpaid rent14 days (14-day pay or quit notice (notice of nonpayment))Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F), 2026 Va. Acts chs. 353 (HB 15), 354 (SB 48)

    Read the Virginia law

    Put the rent and renewal terms in writing

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