Va. Code § 55.1-1245 requires a 5-day written pay-or-quit notice before a landlord can terminate and evict for unpaid rent. For a remediable lease breach, the landlord must give 30 days' notice allowing 21 days to cure. Only a court can order eviction through an unlawful detainer action.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1245, if rent is unpaid when due and the tenant "fails to pay rent within five days after written notice is served on him notifying the tenant of his nonpayment, and of the landlord's intention to terminate the rental agreement," the landlord may terminate and obtain possession. For a remediable breach, written notice must specify the acts and state the agreement "will terminate upon a date not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in 21 days." Serious conduct threatening health or safety allows immediate termination. The landlord cannot self-evict; possession must be obtained through an unlawful detainer suit in general district court.
A landlord who evicts without the required notice or who uses self-help (changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities) instead of a court unlawful detainer action is liable to the tenant for actual damages and may face other remedies under the VRLTA.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Richmond, VA
Richmond's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Politica...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no specific city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under Virginia's P...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Real restrictions arise from HOA and condo covenants under ...
Richmond, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Richmond require separate trade permits from PDR Building Permits: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lin...
Richmond, VA
Richmond has no specific city ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit re...
Richmond, VA
Richmond enforces the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), which adopts the 2018 International Fire Code. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooki...
See how Richmond's eviction notice & process rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.