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VA SB373
VA SB373Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; defense to action for possessions for nonpayment of rent
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent. Removes the provision requiring that a tenant in possession of a dwelling unit, prior to asserting a defense against an action for rent or possession, pay into court the amount of rent found by the court to be due and unpaid and for such amount to be held by the court pending the issuance of an order. The bill also limits the discretion of the court in actions for possession based upon nonpayment of rent and actions for rent by a landlord when the tenant is in possession of a dwelling unit.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to remove a requirement that tenants pay rent into court before they can use a landlord's failure to fix serious issues with the property as a defense against eviction for nonpayment of rent. Previously, a tenant had to deposit any rent the court deemed owed and unpaid with the court while the case was ongoing, a provision that this bill eliminates. The bill also modifies the court's options when a landlord sues for possession of a property due to unpaid rent or for unpaid rent when the tenant is still living there, by allowing the tenant to request termination of the rental agreement and by directing the court to order the landlord to fix the problem if it stems from the landlord's failure to meet their obligations.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Passed House with substitute (63-Y 34-N 0-A) (on 02/24/2026)
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/SB373 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB373) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171397.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB373/text/SB373HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB373/text/SB373H1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB373) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139378.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB373/text/SB373E |
| Senator Boysko Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB373/text/SB373AS1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB373) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096773.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB373/text/SB373 |
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