Rent control rules in Chesapeake, VA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Virginia prohibits local rent control under VA Code 55.1-1204. Chesapeake cannot cap rents or limit rent increases. Landlords must provide 30-day written notice for rent increases under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA).
Virginia is a preemption state regarding rent control. VA Code 55.1-1204 and longstanding Dillon Rule principles prevent any Virginia locality, including Chesapeake, from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords may set rents at market rates and increase them with proper notice. The VRLTA (VA Code 55.1-1200 et seq.) governs most residential tenancies and requires 30-day written notice for rent increases on month-to-month leases. Fixed-term leases cannot have rent raised mid-term unless the lease provides for it. Fair housing protections apply under federal and Virginia Fair Housing Law (VA Code 36-96.1).
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Chesapeake, VA
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See how Chesapeake's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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