Bill > HB329

This bill expands protections for tenants under both the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act by broadening the definition of prohibited retaliatory conduct by landlords. Landlords are now explicitly forbidden from retaliating against tenants for actions such as complaining to a government agency about housing code violations affecting health or safety, reporting noncompliance to the media, filing complaints or lawsuits against the landlord for violations of the rental agreement or housing laws, organizing or participating in tenant groups, or testifying against the landlord in court. Retaliatory actions include increasing rent or fees, decreasing services, altering rental terms without consent, harassment, bringing eviction lawsuits, terminating rental agreements, or refusing to renew tenancies for tenants receiving housing assistance. The bill also clarifies circumstances under which a landlord may still take action, such as when a tenant causes a code violation through negligence, is in rent default, or when code compliance requires significant alterations to the property. If a landlord unlawfully retaliates, tenants can recover actual damages and use retaliation as a defense in eviction proceedings.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB329