WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 48

Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Rouse

SB 48 expands Virginia landlord remedies for tenant lease violations, potentially accelerating enforcement actions beyond rent non-payment while raising tenant protection concerns.

Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 48

Legislative bill overview

SB 48 modifies Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to expand landlord remedies when tenants fail to comply with rental agreement terms. The bill adjusts the legal mechanisms and procedures available to landlords seeking enforcement of lease violations beyond non-payment of rent.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects the balance of power in rental relationships, which impacts both housing stability for renters and property management practices for landlords. Virginia has over 1 million renter households, making changes to landlord-tenant law consequential for residential housing markets across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Tenant protections vs. landlord flexibility: Expanding landlord remedies may accelerate evictions for non-monetary violations (maintenance issues, lease terms), potentially affecting tenant job security and housing stability if notice periods or cure rights are reduced
  • Definition of "noncompliance": The bill's scope depends on how broadly "rental agreement" violations are defined—vague language could allow enforcement over minor infractions while narrow language might limit landlord options for legitimate lease enforcement
  • Procedural fairness: Changes to remedies raise questions about whether tenants retain adequate opportunity to cure violations before facing eviction or other consequences, particularly for good-faith disputes over lease interpretation

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

Sign in to ask a question.