Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; prohibited provisions in rental agreements.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about enforcement mechanisms or penalties for violations of the new rules.

Virginia Rental Agreement Rules

This law stops landlords from making tenants pay extra fees for certain services and maintenance in rental agreements.

What This Bill Does

• It says that rental agreements cannot have clauses where tenants must pay for the upkeep of heating, cooling systems, pest control, trash disposal, common area utilities, or mail delivery.
• The law removes a part that allowed both landlords and tenants to agree in writing that tenants could do some of the landlord's work, but only if it was fair and didn't hurt other tenants.

Who It Names or Affects

• Landlords who rent out properties
• Tenants living in rental homes or apartments

Terms To Know

rental agreement

A contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the rules of renting a property.

tenant

Someone who rents a home or apartment from a landlord.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if landlords break these new rules.
• It is unclear how this law will be enforced and what penalties might apply to those who violate it.

Official Summary Text

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; prohibited provisions in rental agreements; landlord's maintenance responsibilities.
Prohibits a rental agreement from containing any provision stating that the tenant agrees to pay (i) any fee for the maintenance of the premises, including the maintenance or provision of heating and cooling systems, pest control, trash disposal, common area utilities, and mail or package delivery; (ii) a fee for internet, cable, or any other utilities or services that amount to more than the cost paid by the landlord; or (iii) for the maintenance or security of the common areas. The bill also repeals the provision allowing the landlord and tenant to agree in writing that the tenant may perform certain duties typically assigned to the landlord and also specified repairs, maintenance tasks, alterations, and remodeling, but only if the transaction is entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the landlord and if the agreement does not diminish or affect the obligation of the landlord to other tenants in the premises.

Current Bill Text

HB 1409

SUBCOMMITTEE

1. Line 35, introduced, after
for

strike

internet, cable, or any other