Types (6)

Commercial Lease Agreement – Once signed, approves a business-tenant to run their company out of the leased space for the length of time specified by the contract (one to three years).

Download – Adobe PDF, Word (.docx)

Lease to Own Agreement – Allow a tenant to purchase the rented home or building upon the lease’s expiration. Tenants are not required to purchase, hence why the contract is often called a “Lease-Option” form.

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Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A lease that spans one (1) month at a time until either party cancels it with a thirty (30) day notice.

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Roommate Agreement – Filled-out by roommates sharing the same rented property to come to terms on quiet hours, study times, cleaning schedules, and more.

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Standard Residential Lease Agreement – A Virginia-specific form that covers every aspect of leasing in the state. The most commonly used form for leasing property on a fixed-term basis.

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Sublease Agreement – Allows a tenant to re-rent their unit to another person, so long the landlord approves.

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What is a Virginia Lease Agreement?

A Virginia Lease Agreement, once signed, locks tenant(s) into an obligation to pay rent for a specified amount of time in exchange for their right to live or work a rental unit/home. The agreement contains the parties’ rights as well as their responsibilities to one another. Landlords should ensure they carefully vet tenants prior to signing this contract through the use of a Virginia-specific rental application form.

State Laws & Guides

Laws

• Title 55, Chapter 13 – “Landlord and Tenant”
• Title 55, Chapter 13.2 – “Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act”

Landlord-Tenant Guides / Handbooks

• Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act Handbook.pdf
• Guide to Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law.pdf
• VHDA – How to be a Successful Renter.pdf

When is Rent Due?

According to § 55-248.7(C), rent is owed by the tenant as per the terms of the agreement. In most cases, this will mean they must pay the rent at the start of the month in equal installments. The landlord will usually specify where the rent should be paid. Periodic rent must be paid at the start of any term of one (1) month or less. No grace period laws exist in Virginia.

Landlord’s Access

Emergency (§ 55-248.18(A)): A landlord has the right to enter the rental property in emergency situations, however, they may not abuse this right of access or use it to harass the tenant.

Non-Emergency (§ 55-248.18(A)): In order to enter the rental property in non-emergency situations, a landlord must give a tenant notice of their intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. If there is routine maintenance the landlord must perform that has not been requested by the tenant, they must give the tenant at least twenty-four (24) hours notice.

Required Disclosures

• Defective Drywall (§ 55-248.12:2): Prior to signing a lease with a new tenant, landlords that are aware of defective drywall in a rental property that has not been fixed must provide the prospective tenant(s) with a written disclosure noting that the unit has defective drywall. If the parties will enter into an oral lease agreement, the disclosure must be made prior to the tenant’s move-in date.
• Lead Paint Disclosure: If a landlord of a rental property constructed prior to 1978 is aware of any lead paint hazards that are present, they are required by federal law to disclose this information to tenants. They are also required to provide tenants with a copy of a brochure about lead hazards in the home.
• Military (Air) Zone (§ 55-248.12:1): If a rental property is located in a noise or potential accident zone (per an official zoning map), the landlord must provide any and all prospective tenants with a written disclosure prior to signing a lease.
• Move-In Report (§ 55-248.11:1): Landlords are required to provide a written report to tenants listing current damages to the rental unit. The report must be given within five (5) days after the tenant(s) have moved into the rental property. After receiving the report, tenants have five (5) days to object to it (such as stating there are additional damages) after receiving it. Additionally, section 55-248.11:2 requires landlords to disclose (in the report) whether there is any visible evidence of mold in the rental.
• Planned Demolition or Rehabilitation of the Property (§ 55-248.12(C)): Landlords must disclose (in writing) to potential tenants if there is a six (6) month plan that will result in the tenant’s displacement from the rental unit/property. This could be due to the demolition/rehabilitation of the property, or the conversion of the property to an office, hotel, or other property-type.
• Ratio of Utilities (§ 55-226.2): A landlord must clearly state in the lease if a ratio utility billing system is used in the rental property. “Ratio billing system” refers to a mathematical formula for calculating anticipated water, sewer, electrical, oil, or natural gas bills.

Security Deposits

Maximum (§ 55-248.15:1(A)): Landlords can charge tenants a maximum of two (2) month’s rent for security deposits.

Returning to Tenant (§ 55-248.15:1(A)): Landlords must return a tenant’s security deposit within forty-five (45) days after the official termination of the lease. If the landlord intends to make deductions to the deposit due to damages or other charges, all deductions must be listed in a written notice given/sent to the tenant at the same time as the remaining security deposit.

Deposit Interest: None; landlords are not required to collect interest on security deposits.