Category: Legislative Updates
Clear ResultsLegislative Updates
Virginia’s 2026 Eviction Diversion Program: What Landlords Need to Know
Welcome back to Offit Kurman’s 2026 Legislative Update Series. Sidney Washington discusses important changes to Virginia’s Eviction Diversion Program, including updated eligibility requirements, court notification procedures, and a revised payment plan structure. This installment explains how the new law affects housing providers, from the requirement to include program information with unlawful detainer summonses to the updated initial payment of 10% of the amount due, followed by three monthly installments. Learn what landlords and property managers need to know about court participation, tenant eligibility, accurate rent ledgers, and the procedures for handling successful plan completion or default. Follow the series for practical guidance on Virginia legislative changes and landlord compliance.
October 9, 2026
Legislative Updates
Virginia’s 2026 Landlord Law Changes: Rent Payments, Fees & Repairs
Welcome to the final Virginia installment of Offit Kurman’s 2026 Legislative Update Series. Sidney Washington discusses House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 313, which introduce important changes to rent payment options, payment processing fees, and maintenance and repair charges for housing providers. This update explains the requirement to accept rent and security deposit payments by check and money order, restrictions on passing payment processing fees to tenants, and new limitations on charging residents separately for routine maintenance and repairs. Learn what landlords and property managers should review in their lease agreements, fee schedules, resident handbooks, and maintenance policies to ensure compliance. Visit Offit Kurman’s website for a summary of the legislative updates and practical action items. Stay tuned for upcoming updates covering Maryland and Washington, D.C.
October 9, 2026
Legislative Updates
Navigating Virginia's New AC Regulations in 2026
Welcome back to Offit Kurman’s 2026 Legislative Update Series. Gwen Roy-Harrison of the Virginia Landlord Representation Team explains a new Virginia law, effective July 1, 2026, that adds qualifying central air conditioning services to the definition of essential services under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). This installment explores how the change affects housing providers, including potential tenant remedies for AC outages, reasonable repair response times, and applicable Virginia Property Maintenance Code requirements. Learn four practical steps property managers can take to prepare: update maintenance policies, establish emergency response procedures, document repair efforts, and maintain clear communication with residents. Follow the series for practical guidance on legislative changes and landlord compliance.
September 7, 2026
Legislative Updates
Virginia’s House Bill 15 and Senate Bill 48
In this installment of Offit Kurman's Legislative Update Series, the landlord representation team covers Virginia House Bill 15 and Senate Bill 48, which amend the non-payment notice process under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Effective July 1, 2026, the required waiting period in a non-payment notice extends from five days to fourteen days, meaning landlords must provide tenants with a fourteen-day pay or quit notice before filing an unlawful detainer for non-payment of rent. The previous five-day notice will no longer meet the statutory requirement. This update walks through what the change means in practice, including the longer timeline housing providers should expect before filing in court, and flags the need to revise notice templates that still reference the old five-day period to avoid non-suits or dismissals. As always, the Offit Kurman landlord representation team is available to help apply this update to your communities.
August 25, 2026
Legislative Updates
Implications of Virginia's 2026 Legislative Update on Evictions
Welcome back to Offit Kurman’s 2026 Legislative Update Series. Gwen Roy-Harrison of the Virginia Landlord Representation Team discusses two new Virginia laws, effective July 1, 2026, that impact eviction proceedings and property management practices. This installment explores changes to the unlawful detainer process when tenants dispute the amount owed and the expanded ability for tenants to raise habitability and maintenance issues as defenses in nonpayment of rent cases. Learn what these updates mean for housing providers and why accurate rent ledgers, thorough maintenance records, and coordination with legal counsel are more important than ever. Follow the series for practical guidance on navigating legislative changes and maintaining compliance.
August 3, 2026
Legislative Updates
Legislative Update Series
Welcome to Offit Kurman's Legislative Update Series. Sidney Washington, practice group leader for the landlord representation team, sets the stage for a new series of short, practical compliance check-ins covering the most important legislative changes impacting housing providers across Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Each upcoming installment will break down a specific update: what changed, why it matters, and any action you may need to take. Some updates will serve as helpful reminders, while others may call for changes to your policies or procedures. Either way, the series is designed to make compliance simple, straightforward, and easy to implement, whether you're watching between meetings or sharing with your team. Subscribe, follow, or bookmark the series so you don't miss an update, and keep a running list of questions as you go. If you need additional guidance or help applying these changes to your communities, the Offit Kurman landlord representation team is here to help.
July 20, 2026
