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Bill

Bill

HB 2175

Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Askew and 21 co-sponsors

Empowers Virginia localities to create rent-gouging ordinances with civil penalties, allowing cities and counties to independently restrict excessive landlord rent increases.

Left in Courts of Justice
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Bill Summary · HB 2175

Legislative bill overview

HB 2175 authorizes local governments in Virginia to establish their own rent-gouging ordinances and impose civil penalties on landlords who increase rent by excessive amounts. The bill grants municipalities the power to define what constitutes "rent gouging" and set penalty amounts, rather than having this authority exclusively at the state level.

Why is this important

Rental affordability is a significant issue in Virginia's growing urban and suburban areas. This bill would allow localities to respond to rapid rent increases in their specific housing markets without waiting for state-level action, potentially providing relief to renters in high-demand areas while giving landlords clarity on local expectations.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights concerns: Landlords argue rent controls or gouging restrictions interfere with their ability to set market prices and may discourage investment in rental properties
  • Jurisdictional fragmentation: Multiple local definitions and penalty structures could create compliance confusion for landlords operating across different municipalities
  • Market effects debate: Economists disagree on whether local rent restrictions effectively address housing affordability or reduce housing supply by discouraging construction and maintenance investment
  • Definitional challenges: "Excessive" rent increases lack objective measurement, creating potential legal disputes and inconsistent enforcement across localities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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