Landlord Entry Laws in Virginia

How much notice does a landlord have to give in Virginia?

Under Va. Code § 55.1-1229 (entry); § 55.1-1234 (remedies), landlords in Virginia must give at least 24 hours' advance notice before entering your rental unit for non-emergency purposes. The statute does not require the notice to be in writing, though written notice is better practice.

Even with proper notice, entry is restricted to reasonable hours.

What is your landlord allowed to enter for in Virginia?

Under Va. Code § 55.1-1229 (entry); § 55.1-1234 (remedies), permitted entry reasons in Virginia include:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Inspections
• Showing to prospective tenants
• Showing to prospective buyers
• Agreed-upon services
• Emergencies

What counts as an emergency in Virginia?

Emergency entry permitted without consent or notice under § 55.1-1229(A). Statute does not define 'emergency' — typical examples are fire, flood, gas leak, imminent hazard. Separately, the Act permits entry on reasonable belief of abandonment (§ 55.1-1249) and under court order.

What are your remedies if your landlord enters without notice in Virginia?

If your landlord violates entry rules in Virginia, your remedies under Va. Code § 55.1-1229 (entry); § 55.1-1234 (remedies) may include:

• Court order stopping future violations (injunction)
• Right to terminate the lease
• Actual damages
• Attorney's fees and court costs

In practice, start by documenting the unauthorized entry (photos, texts, a written log), then send a written objection citing the statute. If violations continue, consult a local tenant-rights attorney or your state's housing court.

Important Virginia-specific notes

Virginia's VRLTA (Va. Code § 55.1-1200 et seq.) is URLTA-model law; Virginia repealed its original URLTA adoption in 2019 and recodified as the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, retaining URLTA's substantive framework. § 55.1-1229 requires the landlord to give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times, except in emergency or where impractical. For routine maintenance not requested by the tenant, § 55.1-1229(F) requires at least 24 hours' advance notice. Tenant-requested maintenance requires no separate notice. § 55.1-1229(B) permits the landlord, upon 30 days' written notice, to temporarily relocate the tenant for up to 30 days to remedy a nonemergency property condition, at the landlord's expense. Tenant remedies for landlord abuse of access flow from § 55.1-1234 (injunction, termination, damages, attorney's fees).