Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Rules
Alexandria adds local rules on top of Virginia landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Eviction diversion (payment plan in court) | The Alexandria General District Court adopted an Eviction Diversion Program effective July 1, 2026, under Va. Code Sec. 55.1-1262 as amended in 2026. Tenants facing eviction for nonpayment can ask the judge, at the first court hearing, to be referred to the program. The tenant must pay at least 10% of the total owed at that hearing, then the rest in three equal installments of 30% over the next three months, while also paying regular monthly rent. The case is dismissed if the plan is completed. Tenants are not eligible if, in the last 12 months, they owed rent under a payment plan, defaulted on a rent payment plan, or took part in an eviction diversion program; they must also have enough income or funds to finish the plan. Questions about court procedure: Alexandria General District Court Clerk's Office, 520 King St #201, 703.746.4030 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.). |
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| Landlord-tenant complaint mediation | The City's Office of Housing mediates housing disputes between landlords and tenants when both agree. Contact Alex311 at 703.746.4311, or call the Office of Housing about landlord-tenant issues at 703.746.4990. The Office of Housing has temporarily moved to 100 North Pitt Street (4th floor) during City Hall renovations. Phone for landlord-tenant issues: https://www.alexandriava.gov/housing-services/renter-resources Source: Official source |
| Mold & repair complaints | Renters should report mold to the landlord in writing first (the City provides complaint templates). If the landlord does not follow up within 10-15 days, report it to the City through Alex311 (703.746.4311). The City's Code Administration may then inspect the unit for water entering it, a common cause of mold, but it does not inspect or test for mold itself. If a property manager retaliates for a report, for example by threatening eviction or raising rent, file a request on Alex311 to be connected with the Office of Human Rights. The Health Department's free ALX Breathes program helps renters with asthma or COPD: 703.746.4988. Source: Official source |
| Local rental assistance | The Department of Community and Human Services' Office of Community Services gives rental assistance to eligible low-income residents facing a housing crisis, to prevent eviction and homelessness. For the quickest screening, go in person to 4850 Mark Center Drive, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or call 703.746.5700 (text 703.346.5599 for housing crises). Source: Official source |
| Voluntary rent-increase guidelines | The City's landlord resources page describes its 2019 Voluntary Rent Guidelines Resolution, which gives owners guidance on annual rent increases; it is guidance, not a binding cap. Virginia has no statute authorizing local rent control (see the Virginia state page). The resolution PDF itself was not read. |
Eviction cases in Alexandria are heard in: Alexandria General District Court, 520 King St #201, Alexandria, VA 22314 (Clerk's Office 703.746.4030)
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No guaranteed right to counsel was found. The City refers renters to Legal Services of Northern Virginia, the Legal Aid Justice Center and Virginia Legal Aid. Official source
Local agencies
- Alexandria Office of Housing — Landlord-tenant mediation and information, fair housing training and testing. 703.746.4990.
- Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) — Emergency rental assistance and housing-crisis help. 703.746.5700.
- Alex311 — City service requests, including mold/water-intrusion and code complaints. 703.746.4311.
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia — Free legal help for eligible renters (listed by the City as a legal resource for evictions and mold disputes).
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Alexandria add on top of Virginia law?
Eviction diversion (payment plan in court): The Alexandria General District Court adopted an Eviction Diversion Program effective July 1, 2026, under Va. Code Sec. 55.1-1262 as amended in 2026. Tenants facing eviction for nonpayment can ask the judge, at the first court hearing, to be referred to the program. The tenant must pay at least 10% of the total owed at that hearing, then the rest in three equal installments of 30% over the next three months, while also paying regular monthly rent. The case is dismissed if the plan is completed. Tenants are not eligible if, in the last 12 months, they owed rent under a payment plan, defaulted on a rent payment plan, or took part in an eviction diversion program; they must also have enough income or funds to finish the plan.; Landlord-tenant complaint mediation: The City's Office of Housing mediates housing disputes between landlords and tenants when both agree. Contact Alex311 at 703.746.4311, or call the Office of Housing about landlord-tenant issues at 703.746.4990. The Office of Housing has temporarily moved to 100 North Pitt Street (4th floor) during City Hall renovations.; Mold & repair complaints: Renters should report mold to the landlord in writing first (the City provides complaint templates). If the landlord does not follow up within 10-15 days, report it to the City through Alex311 (703.746.4311). The City's Code Administration may then inspect the unit for water entering it, a common cause of mold, but it does not inspect or test for mold itself. If a property manager retaliates for a report, for example by threatening eviction or raising rent, file a request on Alex311 to be connected with the Office of Human Rights. The Health Department's free ALX Breathes program helps renters with asthma or COPD: 703.746.4988.; Local rental assistance: The Department of Community and Human Services' Office of Community Services gives rental assistance to eligible low-income residents facing a housing crisis, to prevent eviction and homelessness. For the quickest screening, go in person to 4850 Mark Center Drive, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or call 703.746.5700 (text 703.346.5599 for housing crises).
← All Virginia landlord-tenant rules
Last verified against official sources: October 29, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
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.