Virginia Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

As of 2025, Virginia does not have statewide rent control or rent stabilization laws. This means landlords can generally raise rent by any amount they choose, as long as they follow proper notice procedures and do not violate anti-discrimination or retaliation protections.

Although recent legislative sessions saw new bills proposing to allow localities to set their own rent control ordinances, none have passed into law. The Virginia General Assembly continues to debate these issues, but as of now, rent control remains off the books statewide.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent?

No Cap on Increases: Virginia law does not limit how much a landlord can increase rent at the end of a lease term or for month-to-month tenancies.
Market Rates Allowed: Landlords may raise rents to reflect market rates or other factors, provided they comply with notice requirements and do not discriminate or retaliate against tenants.

Advance Notice Requirements

Month-to-Month Leases: Landlords must provide at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Longer Fixed-Term Leases: For leases longer than one month, landlords must give at least 30 days’ written notice before the end of the lease term if they intend to raise rent upon renewal.
Week-to-Week Leases: Require a minimum of 7 days’ notice.
During Lease Term: Rent cannot be increased during the term of a fixed lease unless the lease specifically allows for it.

Exceptions: When Rent Increases Are Illegal

Discrimination: Landlords cannot raise rent based on a tenant’s race, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, age, military status, or source of income, per federal and Virginia Fair Housing laws.
Retaliation: Landlords cannot increase rent in retaliation for tenants exercising legal rights, such as filing complaints or joining a tenant union.
Breach of Contract: If a lease agreement prohibits rent increases during the term, landlords must honor that contract.

Local Rent Control Efforts

Local Authority Proposed, Not Passed: In 2025, bills were introduced to let local governments adopt anti-rent gouging ordinances, which would have capped rent increases in certain areas. However, these proposals did not become law, so there are currently no local rent control ordinances in effect.
Future Possibility: Tenant advocacy groups continue to push for local rent stabilization, but strong opposition from landlord and real estate groups means significant change is unlikely in the immediate future.

What Should Tenants Do?

Review Your Lease: Understand the terms regarding rent increases and notice periods.
Request Written Notice: Any rent increase must be provided in writing.
Know Your Rights: If you believe a rent increase is discriminatory or retaliatory, you may have legal recourse.
Keep Records: Save all communications regarding rent increases and lease renewals.

Summary Table: Virginia Rent Increase Laws (2025)

Topic	Rule/Requirement
Statewide rent control	No
Local rent control	Not allowed as of 2025 (no ordinances in effect)
Rent increase cap	None
Notice for month-to-month	30 days written notice
Notice for week-to-week	7 days written notice
Notice for fixed-term	30 days before lease end
During lease term	No increase unless lease allows
Discrimination/retaliation	Prohibited

Virginia tenants should be aware that, as of 2025, there are no limits on how much rent can be increased, but landlords must provide proper written notice and cannot raise rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.

While there is ongoing debate about rent control at the local level, no such laws have been enacted yet. Tenants are encouraged to review their lease agreements and know their rights regarding rent increases.

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