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Virginia Residential Lease Agreement

Create Virginia Residential Lease Agreement

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Draft a legally proper Residential Lease Agreement for Virginia that incorporates all required disclosures and clauses under Virginia landlord-tenant law. Fill in your details and download your completed, ready-to-sign Residential Lease Agreement as a professional PDF for $7.99.

Virginia law requires specific provisions in rental agreements that protects both lessor and lessee. Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent maximum and must be returned within 45 days. A 5-day grace period is required before late fees can be assessed. Virginia requires 7 specific disclosures in lease agreements.

Virginia Lease Requirements

Security Deposit Limit 2 months' rent maximum
Deposit Return Deadline 45 days
Deposit Interest Required Not required
Late Fee Cap The lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance owed (Va. Code 55.1-1204)
Grace Period 5 days
Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days
Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days
Entry Notice 24 hours
Key Statute Virginia Code Title 55.1, Chapter 12
Required Disclosures Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Move-in written condition checklist, landlord must provide written statement of condition of the premises and all furnishings at move-in; Military clause, landlord must include statutory military termination clause in all leases; Mold disclosure, landlord must disclose any known mold in the unit prior to tenancy; Defective drywall disclosure, landlord must disclose any known defective drywall; Name and address of the landlord or authorized property manager; Statement of tenant's rights and remedies (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act summary)

Virginia Residential Lease Agreement Checklist

Print this or save it as a PDF to use when preparing and signing the agreement.

Before you sign

  • Both parties read the entire agreement before signing.
  • Walk through the unit and document any existing damage in writing.
  • Confirm the move-in date and key handover arrangements.
  • Verify the security deposit amount and accepted payment method.

Virginia rules to know

  • Security deposit is capped at 2 months' rent maximum in Virginia.
  • Landlord must return the deposit within 45 days of move-out.
  • Late fees cannot be charged until after a 5-day grace period.
  • Late fee cap: The lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance owed (Va. Code 55.1-1204).
  • Landlord must give 24 hours before entering the unit.
  • To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 30 days written notice.
  • To end a month-to-month tenancy, the tenant must give 30 days written notice.
  • Required disclosures: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Move-in written condition checklist, landlord must provide written statement of condition of the premises and all furnishings at move-in; Military clause, landlord must include statutory military termination clause in all leases; Mold disclosure, landlord must disclose any known mold in the unit prior to tenancy.

In the agreement itself

  • Full legal names of all landlords and tenants.
  • Complete property address, including unit number.
  • Lease term: start date, end date.
  • Monthly rent amount and the due date.
  • Security deposit amount and the conditions for deductions.
  • Late fee amount and the grace period, if any.
  • Pet policy, smoking policy, and guest policy.
  • Utility responsibilities (which party pays each utility).
  • Signatures of all parties.

Both parties should keep a signed copy. Virginia landlord-tenant law governs this agreement (Virginia Code Title 55.1, Chapter 12).

What to Include in a Virginia Residential Lease Agreement

Every Residential Lease Agreement in Virginia should include the following critical provisions: identification of the property owner and renter, a complete description of the rental property, the lease term and rent amount, security deposit terms including the amount and return deadline (45 days in Virginia), late fee policies that comply with state limits, utility responsibilities, rules regarding pets, smoking, and occupancy limits, maintenance and repair obligations, right of entry provisions, termination and renewal terms, and all state-required disclosures.

Virginia law requires landlords to disclose lead-based paint disclosure, move-in written condition checklist, landlord must provide written statement of condition of the premises and all furnishings at move-in, military clause, landlord must include statutory military termination clause in all leases, mold disclosure, landlord must disclose any known mold in the unit prior to tenancy, defective drywall disclosure, landlord must disclose any known defective drywall. Security deposit cap is 2 months' rent and must be held in a federally insured account.

How to Complete a Virginia Residential Lease Agreement

To complete a Residential Lease Agreement in Virginia, start by gathering the necessary information: full legal names and addresses of all parties, the complete property address, the agreed-upon rent amount and payment terms, and the security deposit amount (limited to 2 months' rent maximum in Virginia). You will also need to decide on house rules such as pet policies, smoking restrictions, and quiet hours.

Our platform walks you through each section with a guided form that only shows fields required for Virginia. Once you have filled in all details, you can preview the document, choose from five professional document styles, and download your completed Residential Lease Agreement as a PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Virginia?
In Virginia, security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent maximum. Landlords must return the deposit within 45 days after move-out, minus lawful deductions for unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Virginia?
Yes, but Virginia requires a 5-day grace period before a late fee can be assessed. Late fees are capped at the lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance owed (va. code 55.1-1204). Late fee terms must be clearly stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Virginia?
Virginia requires landlords to give 24 hours before entering a rental unit for non-emergency purposes. Entry without proper notice may violate tenant rights under Virginia landlord-tenant law. Emergency situations such as fire or flood allow immediate entry without advance notice.
What disclosures are required in a Virginia residential lease?
Virginia requires these disclosures in residential lease agreements: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal requirement for pre-1978 housing); Move-in written condition checklist, landlord must provide written statement of condition of the premises and all furnishings at move-in; Military clause, landlord must include statutory military termination clause in all leases; Mold disclosure, landlord must disclose any known mold in the unit prior to tenancy; Defective drywall disclosure, landlord must disclose any known defective drywall, and others. Missing required disclosures can expose landlords to penalties or give tenants grounds to break the lease. Our platform automatically includes all required Virginia disclosures.
Does a residential lease need to be notarized in Virginia?
No. Virginia does not require residential leases to be notarized. A lease is binding once signed by both landlord and tenant. However, leases longer than one year may need to be witnessed or recorded depending on local requirements - check with a local attorney if your lease term exceeds 12 months.
How much notice is required to terminate a lease in Virginia?
For month-to-month tenancies, Virginia requires landlords to give 30 days notice and tenants to give 30 days notice. Fixed-term leases end on the agreed date without additional notice unless the lease says otherwise.
What does Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act require in a lease?
Virginia's RLTA (Va. Code §55.1-1200 et seq.) requires landlords to disclose the name and address of the property owner or manager, maintain the premises in habitable condition, provide at least 24 hours notice before entry, and return security deposits within 45 days of move-out. Virginia caps security deposits at two months' rent and caps late fees at 10% of the monthly rent. Virginia has no statewide rent control.

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