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HB 1709

Va. Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; landlord obligations, access of tenant to broadband services.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 13 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requiring landlords to provide or allow tenant access to broadband infrastructure to address digital equity in rental housing.

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Bill Summary · HB 1709

Legislative bill overview

HB 1709 amends Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to establish landlord obligations regarding tenant access to broadband services. The bill would require landlords to either provide broadband infrastructure or allow tenants reasonable access to install their own broadband connections in residential properties.

Why is this important

Broadband access has become essential for employment, education, and healthcare, yet many rental properties lack adequate infrastructure or landlords restrict tenant installation options. This bill addresses a gap where tenants in underserved areas may have no viable means to obtain high-speed internet, potentially affecting economic opportunity and quality of life.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. tenant access: Landlords may argue the bill infringes on their property rights and creates costly infrastructure obligations or liability concerns for tenant-installed equipment
  • Implementation and cost burden: Defining what constitutes reasonable landlord obligations and who bears installation/maintenance costs remains unclear, potentially creating disputes and financial exposure
  • Feasibility in existing structures: Retrofitting older buildings with broadband infrastructure may be prohibitively expensive or physically impossible in some cases, raising questions about enforcement and exemptions

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

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