Virginia Beach landlords must follow VA Code §55.1-1226, which caps security deposits at two months of rent and requires return within 45 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions taken.
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act controls security deposits statewide; Virginia Beach cannot adopt a stricter local cap. Landlords may collect up to two months of rent as a deposit, must hold it in any account, and must return the unused portion within 45 days of lease termination along with itemized deductions. Tenants may dispute deductions in General District Court. Damage charges must reflect actual repair costs, not flat fees, and normal wear is not chargeable. Move-in inspection reports are critical evidence.
Late or undocumented deposit returns can expose landlords to actual damages, statutory damages, attorney fees, and potential bad-faith multipliers under VRLTA.
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See how Virginia Beach's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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