Virginia Lease Agreement: What to Include
August 14, 2025Virginia's landlord-tenant rules run through the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, with a deposit cap and entry notice period that are both on the higher end compared to many other states.
Security deposits
Virginia caps the security deposit at two months' rent — higher than the one-month standard common in many states. No interest is required on the deposit. Deposits must generally be returned within 45 days of move-out, with an itemized list of deductions.
Entry notice is longer than most states
Virginia generally requires 72 hours' notice before entering an occupied unit for non-emergency purposes, unless doing so is impractical — notably longer than the 24-hour standard used in many other states. Build this into how far in advance you schedule any non-emergency visit.
Required disclosures
A Virginia lease should include or accompany:
- • Federal lead-based paint disclosure (for pre-1978 buildings)
- • Mold disclosure
- • Military zone disclosure, where the property is near a military air installation
- • Defective drywall disclosure, where applicable
- • Move-in inspection report
- • Statement of tenant rights and responsibilities
The bottom line
The two-month deposit cap and 72-hour entry notice window are the two things most likely to differ from what a landlord coming from another state expects. See LeasePilot HQ's full Virginia landlord-tenant law summary for the complete breakdown with sources, or generate a lease with Virginia-specific clauses built in automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice do I need to enter a rental in Virginia?
Virginia generally requires 72 hours' notice for non-emergency entry, unless giving that much notice is impractical under the circumstances — longer than many other states' standard entry notice period.
Can I charge more than one month's rent as a deposit in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia's cap is two months' rent, higher than the single-month cap common in many other states.
Do I need a move-in inspection report in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia law contemplates a move-in inspection report as part of the tenancy documentation, which also supports your position if a security deposit deduction is disputed later.