Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; definition of essential services.

Also relevant to:Renter

Where it is in the process

Plain-English Summary

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; essential services. Adds central air conditioning when supplied by the landlord and operating or represented as operating as of the effective date of the rental agreement to the list of what constitutes an essential service for purposes of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Source: OpenStates · fetched April 13, 2026

Who it affects

Renter

Requires landlords to maintain central air conditioning as an essential service, ensuring renters have access to cooling.

Low-income / working-classindirect

Low-income renters, who are often disproportionately affected by heat and may live in older housing stock, will benefit from the guaranteed provision of central air conditioning.

AI-extracted

Who This AffectsAI analysis

RenterdirectModerate impactHigh certainty
Requires landlords to maintain central air conditioning as an essential service, ensuring renters have access to cooling.
“Adds central air conditioning when supplied by the landlord and operating or represented as operating as of the effective date of the rental agreement to the list of what constitutes an essential service for purposes of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.”· Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; essential services.
Low-income / working-classindirectModerate impactMedium certainty
Low-income renters, who are often disproportionately affected by heat and may live in older housing stock, will benefit from the guaranteed provision of central air conditioning.
“Adds central air conditioning when supplied by the landlord and operating or represented as operating as of the effective date of the rental agreement to the list of what constitutes an essential service for purposes of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.”· Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; essential services.

What the Bill Does

Defines central air conditioning as an essential service under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Applies to central air conditioning supplied by the landlord and operating or represented as operating at the start of the rental agreement.
Ensures renters have a legal right to functioning central air conditioning as a basic amenity.

Votes

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