Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; enforcement by localities.

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; enforcement by localities. Provides that if a condition exists in a dwelling unit that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with any provision of law that, if not remedied within a reasonable time frame, constitutes a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of a tenant or occupant of the premises, a locality may institute an action on behalf of any tenant or occupant of the premises wh…

Source: OpenStates · fetched April 13, 2026

• RenterdirectMajor impactHigh certainty

  Localities are empowered to take legal action on behalf of tenants when landlords fail to remedy conditions that pose a fire hazard or serious threat to life, health, or safety.

  “if a condition exists in a dwelling unit that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with any provision of law that, if not remedied within a reasonable time frame, constitutes a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of a tenant or occupant of the premises, a locality may institute an action on behalf of any tenant or occupant of the premises”· Enforcement by Localities

• Housing-insecureindirectModerate impactMedium certainty

  By enabling localities to enforce habitability standards, this bill can help prevent conditions that might lead to displacement or make housing unsafe for vulnerable populations.

  “if a condition exists in a dwelling unit that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with any provision of law that, if not remedied within a reasonable time frame, constitutes a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of a tenant or occupant of the premises, a locality may institute an action on behalf of any tenant or occupant of the premises”· Enforcement by Localities