A Virginia standard residential lease agreement is used by landlords and property managers to make legally binding rental arrangements with their tenants. Under the terms of the lease, the tenant is granted occupancy for a standard term of twelve (12) months for which they must pay monthly rent. The document must provide the property address, rental price, lease term, and security deposit amount for the lease. Landlords will often require a background and credit check prior to finalizing an agreement to determine the tenant’s suitability.
Rental Laws – Title 55.1, Chapter 12 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
Handbooks (Guides):
- Virginia Landlord and Tenant Handbook (Norfolk State University)
- A Guide to Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Law (Virginia REALTORS®)
Contents |
Security Deposits
Maximum (§ 55.1-1226(A)) – Two (2) months’ rent
Returning (§ 55.1-1226(A)) – Forty-five (45) days
When is Rent Due?
Rent is due on the date stated in the lease and the landlord needn’t provide the tenant with a grace period for late payments so long as they include such a provision in the lease document. If there is no written agreement, rent is due on the first of the month with a five (5) day grace period (§ 55.1-1204(A), (C)(4), and (D)).
Realtor Version
Virginia Realtors Residential Lease Agreement (VR Form 200) – A fourteen (14) page residential lease for sole use by Virginia Realtors members.
Download: PDF
Disclosures (11) |
If there is defective drywall within the dwelling, this information must be disclosed to the tenant by the landlord.
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2) Demolition or Conversion to Condominium If there is a pending plan to convert, demolish, or otherwise substantially modify the rental property in such a way requiring the displacement of the tenants, the affected tenants must be notified.
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3) Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Used to disclose to the tenant any presence of harmful lead-based paint within the dwelling.
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4) Manager and Owner Information The names and addresses of the property’s manager, owner, and all their agents must be disclosed to the tenant in writing.
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Used to inform the tenant of methamphetamine manufacturing history within the dwelling.
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6) Military Air Installation Disclosure Required if the dwelling is in the vicinity of a military airbase causing excessive noise and posing a risk for potential military accidents.
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The landlord must disclose the presence or absence of mold within the dwelling during the move-in inspection.
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A report of the condition of the dwelling must be completed by the tenant, the landlord, or both parties jointly within five (5) days after the start of the tenancy.
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Landlords must notify tenants if the rental property is sold and provide the buyer’s name, address, and telephone number.
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10) Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities The Department of Housing and Community Development is required to develop and maintain a fillable form that outlines the rights and responsibilities of tenants. It is the landlord’s duty to give a copy of this statement to the tenant, and both parties must sign it.
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Tenants moving into a dwelling in a tourism activity zone must be informed about potential disturbances due to activities associated with tourism.
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