New Virginia law gives renters 14 days to pay overdue rent

House Bill 15 extends the window for renters to pay late rent before landlords can start eviction proceedings, from five days to 14.

Virginia · July 20, 2026

Virginia renters who fall behind now have 14 days to pay overdue rent before a landlord can begin eviction proceedings, up from five days under prior law. The change comes from House Bill 15, sponsored by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, and signed into law this year, Virginia Mercury reported on July 20, 2026.

Under the five-day rule, tenants who could not produce the money by their first court hearing faced an unfavorable ruling along with court costs and attorney fees, according to the Mercury.

Price introduced the measure five times before a governor signed it. She told the Mercury that sudden expenses such as medical bills or car repairs left constituents behind on rent, and that rising grocery and energy costs have strained household budgets in recent years. Price pointed to temporary rental relief granted during the pandemic as early evidence the approach could work.

Price said the longer window can keep nonpayment cases out of court, saving tenants fees and saving landlords litigation over money they may never collect. An eviction filing can also damage a tenant's credit, she said, making the next rental harder to secure.

What else changed for renters

Lawmakers also made a piloted eviction diversion program permanent and expanded it statewide, giving tenants a route to resolve cases before they reach a courtroom. Separate new laws strengthen protections for renters whose landlords fail to maintain residents' health and safety.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger said renters close to eviction will feel the added time quickly, while the housing supply measures passed this year will take longer to show results.

Among those longer-term measures, Senate Bill 74, from Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, allows any local government, Northern Virginia's included, to amend its zoning ordinance to create affordable housing programs, an authority previously granted only to some localities. House Bill 594, by Del. Shelly Simmonds, D-Newport News, could streamline approvals for affordable housing developments, per the Mercury. Another new law allows property owners to build tiny homes on their land, a change advocates argue could add housing supply and create lower-cost rental options.