Rent Increases in Virginia: What Are My Rights?

1. You may stay renting after your lease ends, if your landlord agrees. This makes you a holdover renter (one who stays after the lease ends) or a month-to-month renter, depending on your situation. Your landlord can raise your rent only by giving you written notice of the new amount. The new rent cannot start until the next rent due date that comes at least 30 days after that notice.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1253(D)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

2. Some landlords must warn you in writing before they raise your rent for your next lease term. This applies if your landlord owns more than 4 rental homes. It also applies if your landlord owns more than a one-tenth share in more than 4 rental homes, alone or through a company. Either way, it only applies if your lease can renew, or renews on its own. It does not apply if you are staying without your landlord's agreement after your old lease ended. Your landlord must send this notice at least 60 days before your current lease term ends.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1204(K) Code of Virginia § 55.1-1253(C)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

3. During your lease term, your landlord cannot raise your rent unless you agree to the new amount in writing. If you do not sign a written agreement to the change, your original rent stays in effect for the rest of your lease term.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1204(I)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

4. Virginia's landlord-tenant law applies the same way across the whole state. No city or county government can change it, and this law comes before any local rule about the relationship between landlords and renters. This means no city or county in Virginia can pass its own rent control (a law capping how much rent can go up).

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1201(E)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

5. Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you. This rule applies if you told a government agency about a housing code problem that seriously affects health or safety. It also applies if you made a complaint to your landlord about this law, or sued your landlord over it. It also applies if you joined or started a renters' group, or testified in court against your landlord. Your landlord can still raise rent to what similar rentals charge. Your landlord can also cut a service if the cut applies equally to all tenants.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1258(A)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

6. Your landlord can still raise your rent even if you recently complained about a problem, joined a renters' group, or went to court. This is allowed if the new rent matches what similar homes nearby charge.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1258(A)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

7. If your landlord raises your rent to punish you, you can point this out in court if your landlord later tries to evict you. You may also get back money for what the higher rent cost you. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

   RenterLaw editorial Code of Virginia § 55.1-1258(B)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

8. If you say your landlord raised your rent to punish you, you must prove it. Virginia law puts this duty, called the burden of proof, on you and not on your landlord.

   Code of Virginia § 55.1-1258(B)

   ✓ Sources checked October 4, 2026

9. Write down the date you complained, joined a renters' group, or went to court. Also write down the date of any rent increase notice you get after that. These dates can help show your landlord raised your rent to punish you.

   RenterLaw editorial

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