Virginia Rent Control: What You Need to Know About Tenant Rights and Rental Laws

When it comes to Virginia rent control, a policy that limits how much landlords can raise rent each year. Also known as rent stabilization, it’s a tool used in some cities to keep housing affordable—but Virginia rent control doesn’t exist at the state level. In fact, Virginia law explicitly bans local governments from passing their own rent control rules. That means no matter if you’re in Richmond, Arlington, or Norfolk, your landlord can raise your rent by any amount when your lease ends—unless your unit is federally subsidized.

That doesn’t mean tenants are left without protection. Security deposit, a sum paid upfront to cover damages or unpaid rent. Also known as rental bond, it’s tightly regulated in Virginia. Landlords must return it within 45 days after you move out, with a written itemized list of any deductions. If they don’t, you can take them to small claims court—and win. Section 8, a federal housing voucher program that helps low-income families pay rent. Also known as Housing Choice Voucher Program, it’s available in Virginia but has long waiting lists. Income limits vary by county, and having a criminal record or past eviction can block you—even if you’re under the income cap.

What about eviction? Virginia lets landlords evict tenants for almost any reason, as long as they give proper notice. No cause needed after a lease ends. But if you’re behind on rent, they must give you a 5-day notice to pay or leave. And if your landlord tries to turn off your heat, change the locks, or throw your stuff out? That’s illegal—call the local housing authority. You might not have rent control, but you still have rights under state law.

And here’s something most renters don’t realize: even without rent control, your rental price can be affected by other rules. If your building has federal funding or is part of a tax credit program, rent increases are capped. Same goes for Section 8 units—your landlord can’t raise rent just because you’re on assistance. The housing authority sets the maximum allowable rent, and they inspect the place every year.

So while you won’t find rent control in Virginia, you’ll find plenty of other moving parts: how deposits are handled, what disqualifies you from housing help, how long landlords have to return your money, and what counts as legal eviction. The posts below dig into each of these. You’ll see real cases, exact timeframes, and step-by-step actions you can take—whether you’re a tenant fighting a deposit dispute, someone trying to qualify for Section 8, or just trying to understand why your rent jumped 20% this year.