Eviction in Alexandria, Virginia
Where eviction cases are filed in Alexandria, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Alexandria
- Eviction court
- Alexandria General District Court — General District Court (Virginia) Court page
- Filing fee
- $52 filing cost + $12 for each person served; writ of possession: $25 for the first defendant + $12 for each additional defendant Virginia General District Court Manual, ch. 9 fee schedule (Va. Code §§ 16.1-69.48:2, 17.1-272, 17.1-278)
- Notice before filing (state law)
- 14-day written pay-or-quit notice. Virginia rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $2,246/month HUD
- Renter households
- 44,031 (58% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Alexandria
Eviction cases in Alexandria are heard by the Alexandria General District Court (General District Court (Virginia)).
- Alexandria General District Court — 520 King Street, Second Floor, Alexandria, VA 22320 (mail: P.O. Box 320489, Alexandria, VA 22320-4489); civil 703-746-4021 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
Clerk's office hours 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Unlawful detainer return dockets: Tue and Wed 1:30 p.m. (for mass filings, verify the date first at 703-746-4021). Civil trials Thursdays 9:30 a.m., with one courtroom for landlord/tenant trials. Cell phones and cameras are prohibited in the courthouse without court authorization.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Alexandria
$52 filing cost + $12 for each person served; writ of possession: $25 for the first defendant + $12 for each additional defendant
Statewide components: $36 civil processing fee (Va. Code § 16.1-69.48:2), $10 Legal Aid Services Fund (§ 17.1-278), and law library and courthouse maintenance fees set by each locality (combined maximum $4), so the exact filing total can differ slightly by court; confirm with the clerk. Sheriff fees are $12 per person served and $25 to serve a writ of possession plus $12 per additional defendant (§ 17.1-272). An indigent Virginia resident may ask to proceed without paying fees.
How eviction cases work locally
| Eviction Diversion Program | Effective July 1, 2026, the court offers an Eviction Diversion Program for nonpayment cases: the tenant asks the judge for a referral at the first hearing and pays at least 10% of the amount owed, then pays the rest in three monthly installments of 30% while paying ongoing rent. If the plan is completed, the case is dismissed. Not available to a tenant with an outstanding plan, a default, or participation in the last 12 months. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Landlord-tenant mediation | The City of Alexandria Office of Housing handles landlord-tenant issues (703-746-4990) and offers housing-related mediation between landlords and tenants by mutual agreement. Source: Official source |
The Virginia eviction process
Virginia state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Alexandria:
- Written termination notice (14-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment; 21/30-day or 30-day notice for breach)
- File unlawful detainer (sworn statement) with the general district court; summons served at least 10 days before the return date
- Initial hearing (return date) as soon as practicable, no more than 21 days after filing (no later than 30 days); tenant may redeem by paying the full balance by the return date
- Judgment for possession
- Writ of eviction requested within 180 days of judgment; writ vacated if not executed within 30 days of issuance
- Sheriff serves notice at least 72 hours before executing the writ; tenant may cancel the eviction by paying the full balance at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction
Full Virginia eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Alexandria
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,953 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,015 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,246 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,835 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,332 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Alexandria: $2,089/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
Metro-wide FMRs shown. HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code-level) for Housing Choice Voucher programs; ZIP-level values are on the county summary page.
County tenant ordinance
Independent city (county-equivalent); no local eviction ordinance identified.
Eviction help in Alexandria
Free legal help
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) — Free civil legal services for low-income, elderly and disabled Northern Virginia residents, with an eviction prevention practice; offices include Alexandria, Prince William and Loudoun; 703-778-6800.
Rental assistance
- Alexandria Office of Community Services Rental Assistance Program (DCHS) — Rental assistance for eligible low-income residents facing a housing crisis; for fastest screening visit the Department of Community and Human Services, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or call 703-746-5700.
Other Virginia counties
- Eviction in Fairfax County
- Eviction in Arlington County
- Eviction in Virginia Beach
- Eviction in Richmond
- Eviction in Norfolk
- Eviction in Henrico County
- Eviction in Prince William County
- Eviction in Newport News
- Eviction in Chesterfield County
- Eviction in Loudoun County
Related
- Virginia landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Virginia
- Virginia eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Virginia (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Alexandria?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Alexandria?
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.