Fairfax County tenants are protected from landlord harassment and retaliation under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Self-help lockouts, utility shutoffs, and retaliatory rent hikes are prohibited under Virginia Code Section 55.1-1258.
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act prohibits landlord retaliation against tenants who exercise legal rights such as filing code complaints, joining tenant organizations, or asserting fair housing claims. Virginia Code Section 55.1-1258 bans retaliatory rent increases, lease nonrenewals, and service reductions for one year after protected activity. Self-help measures including lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removal of doors or windows are independently illegal under Virginia Code Section 55.1-1243. Fairfax County Tenant-Landlord Commission provides mediation and information services.
Tenants can sue in Fairfax County General District Court for actual damages, recovery of possession, statutory damages, and attorney fees under Virginia Code Section 55.1-1243 and Section 55.1-1258.
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County's Zoning Ordinance limits front-yard fences and walls to 4 feet on most residential lots, while side and rear yards may go up to 7 feet. Lots ...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County requires a building permit from Land Development Services for any private pool, spa or hot tub with a surface area greater than 150 sq ft, cap...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County does not allow detached backyard tiny homes on most residential lots. The Zoning Ordinance treats a second dwelling as an Accessory Living Uni...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County treats a carport as a freestanding accessory structure under the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 112), Article 4 use rules and Article 5 dimensional...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County enforces residential pool barriers under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC, 13VAC5-63), which adopts the International Swimm...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County permits Accessory Living Units (ALUs) under Zoning Ordinance Section 4102.7. Interior ALUs (within the principal dwelling) may be approved by ...
See how Fairfax County's tenant anti-harassment rules stack up against other locations.
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