Larger Virginia landlords must give 90 days' notice before raising rent

If you rent in Virginia from a landlord who owns more than four rental units, and your lease lets you renew or renews automatically, you’ll get more warning before your rent goes up. Starting July 1, 2027, the landlord must tell you about a rent increase for your next lease term in writing at least 90 days before your current lease ends. Today the rule is 60 days. The notice must also give you a deadline to say whether you’ll renew, and that deadline can’t be sooner than 30 days after you get the notice.

That extra month gives you time to compare the new rent with other places, save for moving costs, or look for help before you have to decide. You don’t need to apply for anything. The rule applies when the landlord owns more than four units, or more than a 10 percent share of more than four, whether directly or through a company. It does not cover certain periodic tenancies. Landlords who aren’t renewing your lease must still tell you in writing at least 60 days before it ends.

Del. Michelle Maldonado carried the bill. It passed the House 79–19 and the Senate 22–18. Gov. Abigail Spanberger sent it back with changes, and both chambers accepted them on April 22, 2026, when she signed it.