Renter guide · Virginia
Three Virginia rent-payment rules that changed July 1
Three rent-payment rules changed for Virginia residential rentals covered by Virginia law, effective July 1, 2026. These are Virginia rules only; do not apply them to DC or Maryland.
One way to pay with no extra fee
Your landlord must offer at least one way to pay rent with no extra fee, and must accept check and money order for rent and security deposits. A collection or processing fee is barred unless a no-fee alternative is offered.
Card fees cannot exceed the real processing cost
A credit, debit, or electronic-payment fee cannot be more than the actual out-of-pocket amount a third party charges the landlord. Not all processing fees are illegal; the fee just cannot exceed that actual cost.
Repair fees need a tenant-caused reason
A landlord cannot require a maintenance or repair fee unless your violation made the repair necessary. The exception is narrow, and it does not mean a renter can never be charged for damage they caused.
If you see a fee, ask in writing
- What fee-free payment option can I use?
- Is this the payment company's actual charge?
- What tenant-caused issue is this repair fee for? Save the written answer and your receipt.
Who this covers
These rules apply to residential rentals covered by Virginia law. They changed July 1, 2026 through Virginia Acts 2026 c. 722, amending Va. Code § 55.1-1204(J) and § 55.1-1208(C).
A paid payment option can still exist when a free option is also offered, and a renter can still be charged for damage they caused. The rules narrow how fees work; they do not ban every fee.
Primary sources
Optional: check the building's record
RentSift shows the current Virginia rule and source link with a Virginia address report. It cannot decide whether a specific fee on your ledger is allowed.
Rent-market education, not legal advice. This guide is general information about published rules, not advice for your situation. Laws change; the cited source is always the authority.