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VA HB79
VA HB79Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; duties of landlord, mold remediation, civil penalty.
summary
Introduced
12/31/2025
12/31/2025
In Committee
12/31/2025
12/31/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; duties of landlord; mold remediation; civil penalty. Provides that a tenant, authorized occupant, or guest or invitee of a tenant or authorized occupant may bring a personal injury or wrongful death action for exposure to mold arising from the condition within the interior of a dwelling unit or for any property damage claims arising out of the landlord-tenant relationship to recover (i) compensatory damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and injury to personal property; (ii) punitive damages; and (iii) reasonable attorney fees and costs, if the mold is caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the landlord or managing agent. The bill also mandates a landlord to require a tenant to temporarily vacate the dwelling unit in order for the landlord to perform mold remediation in accordance with professional standards if it has been determined by a physician or other qualified medical professional and certified by a written medical statement that the mold condition in the dwelling unit materially affects the health or safety of the tenant or any authorized occupant.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to expand tenant rights and landlord responsibilities, particularly concerning mold. It clarifies that tenants, authorized occupants, or their guests can sue landlords for personal injury or wrongful death due to mold exposure in their dwelling, or for property damage, if the mold was caused solely by the landlord's gross negligence or willful misconduct, allowing recovery of compensatory damages (like medical bills and lost wages), punitive damages, and attorney fees. The bill also mandates that landlords must require tenants to temporarily move out if a physician certifies that mold in the dwelling significantly impacts the health or safety of the tenant or authorized occupants, so the landlord can perform mold remediation according to professional standards. Furthermore, it broadens the definition of "damages" to include all forms of compensatory damages, both economic and noneconomic, and allows for increased damages if a violation of the act is found to be willful.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Continued to next session in General Laws (Voice Vote) (on 02/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB79 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB79/text/HB79HC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB79) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096377.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB79/text/HB79 |
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