Laws & Regulations

Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law Changes in 2026

Virginia rental law changed in several important ways during the 2026 legislative cycle. Some changes are already affecting leases, notices, maintenance, and court procedures. Others were enacted in 2026 but do not take effect until 2027.For Richmond-area rental owners, this annu...

Virginia’s Expanded Landlord Retaliation Protections

Virginia is expanding its landlord retaliation statute on January 1, 2027. The change does not create a new retaliation rule from scratch. Virginia Code § 55.1-1258 already prohibits specified retaliatory conduct. The 2027 version broadens the protected tenant activities, gi...

Do Virginia Landlords Need Fire Extinguishers in Rental Properties?

Short answer: No. Virginia does not require a portable fire extinguisher in every existing rental simply because the property is rented. The answer depends on the building type, the code that applied to the property, and any property-specific requirement. PMI James River handles ...

Smoke & CO Alarm Placement Checklist for Virginia Rentals

This checklist gives Virginia rental owners a practical way to inspect, place, test, replace, and document smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. It is designed to answer the operating question: what should an owner or property manager check, room by room, so the alarm record is usefu...

Richmond City Eviction Process for Landlords: Court Filing and Sheriff Steps

Virginia law controls the legal grounds, notices, court deadlines, appeal rights, and writ rules for an eviction. But when the rental property is inside Richmond City, the case also has to move through Richmond City General District Court and, if possession is ultimately enforced...

The Virginia Smoke Alarm Gray Area: Why § 55.1-1220 Creates Legal Confusion

Virginia law does create a smoke-alarm question for older rental homes, but the gray area is narrower than it first appears. Virginia Code § 55.1-1220 requires landlords to comply with applicable building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety. The diffic...

Can You Rent Out a Condo or HOA Home in Richmond, VA?

Yes, a Richmond-area owner may be able to rent out a condo, townhouse, or home in an HOA community, but ownership alone does not answer the question. Before advertising the property or signing a lease, the owner should confirm what the current governing documents say about rental...

Who Is Responsible for Repairs in a Richmond Rental: Landlord vs Tenant

When something breaks in a Richmond rental, the practical question is usually simple: is this the landlord's responsibility or the tenant's?The answer depends on more than who noticed the problem or how much the repair costs. Virginia law sets duties for both sides, the l...

How Richmond City Landlords Set Clear Tenant Expectations Before Problems Surface

Richmond City rental owners do not need to predict a resident’s personality to reduce future conflict. The more reliable approach is to make expectations clear, document the important handoffs, and use consistent processes when questions or problems arise. That discipline m...

Landlord Maintenance Responsibilities in Virginia: Legal Duties and Repair Timelines

Virginia rental owners have a clear legal floor for maintenance. Under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord must keep the premises fit and habitable, comply with health and safety codes, maintain supplied systems and appliances, address moisture and mold c...