Bill > HB1408

This bill amends the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to provide additional protections for victims of family abuse, which is defined as abuse as outlined in § 16.1-228 of the Code of Virginia. Specifically, it removes the requirement for a tenant who is a victim of family abuse to promptly notify their landlord if the abuser returns to the dwelling unit to prevent the landlord from terminating the lease solely because of the abuse. Instead, if the tenant provides the landlord with a copy of a protective order or if the perpetrator is otherwise barred from the dwelling unit by the landlord or a court, the lease will not be terminated solely due to an act of family abuse against the tenant by that perpetrator. This change aims to ensure that victims of family abuse are not penalized by having their lease terminated due to the actions of an abuser who is supposed to be excluded from the property.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1408