| Rent Increase Facts | Answer |
| Reason Needed? | No |
| Maximum Amount | None |
| Required Notice | 7 or 30 Days |
Does Virginia Have Rent Control Laws?
Virginia does not have rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords request. State law prohibits local governments from establishing rent control laws.
When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Virginia?
Landlords in Virginia can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:
- Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
- Give reasonable notice
- Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons
30 days before the end of a year-long lease, a landlord sends the tenant a notice that rent will increase by $150 per month if they choose to renew the lease.
When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Virginia?
Landlords in Virginia may not raise the rent if:
- It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement).
- It is done in response to a protected tenant action, such as filing a complaint. This is known as “retaliation“ .
- The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act.
Additionally, Virginia’s Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination due to:
- Source of income
- Military status
How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Virginia?
Landlords in Virginia can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time.
How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Virginia?
In Virginia, landlords must give notice as follows:
- Month-to-month lease – 30 days before the rent due date
- Week-to-week lease – 7 days before the rent due date
There is no specific notice period required for a year-long lease, but landlords are required to act reasonably. Landlords cannot increase the rent during the lease term unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement. If there is a year lease without a rent increase provision, the landlord must wait until the end of the lease term before increasing rent.
Landlords that own more than four dwelling units are required to provide notice of a rent increase to any tenant who has the option to renew or an automatic renewal provision in their lease agreement at least 60 days before the expiration of the lease .
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Virginia?
In Virginia, landlords can raise the rent by any amount. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.
Sources
- 1 VA Code § 55.1-1258
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…a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent…
Source Link - 2 VA Code § 36-96.3
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It shall be an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any person to:
1. Refuse to sell or rent…a dwelling to any person because of…source of funds…or military status…
Source Link - 3 VA Code § 55.1-1253
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The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy…written notice…at least seven days prior to the next rent due date…month-to-month tenancy…at least 30 days prior to the next rent due date…
Source Link - 4 VA Code § 55.1-1204
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A landlord who owns more than four rental dwelling units…shall be required to provide written notice to any tenant who has the option to renew a rental agreement or whose rental agreement contains an automatic renewal provision…no less than 60 days prior to the end of the rental agreement term.
Source Link
