A number of tenant protections which Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed into law earlier this year took effect July 1, and could impact Charlottesville residents and students returning to Grounds who rent in the City and surrounding areas.
The new laws — including House Bill 15, Senate Bill 48 and House Bill 281 — are the latest in a series of reforms aimed at curbing Virginia’s record-high eviction rates. Spanberger outlined several of the rule changes in her 17-bill affordability agenda — a legislative package aimed at lowering housing, healthcare and energy costs for Virginians — back in December.
Set to impact the 60 percent of Charlottesville residents who rent their homes, the new laws will extend the grace period for those at risk of eviction and eliminate the requirement that tenants living in life- or health-threatening conditions must still pay rent during court proceedings. The laws also make further adjustments to the statute governing Virginia’s landlord-tenant relationships…