Landlord Entry Rules in Virginia
Virginia rules on landlord entry for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant. Va. Code 55.1-1229
The rules in Virginia
| Landlord entry notice | Landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant. No notice needed in an emergency, when impractical, or when the tenant requested the maintenance. Statute sets no specific hour count for non-maintenance entries. Source: Va. Code 55.1-1229 |
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Related questions
Virginia vs. neighboring states
| State | Landlord entry notice |
|---|---|
| Virginia | Landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant. No notice needed in an emergency, when impractical, or when the tenant requested the maintenance. Va. Code 55.1-1229 |
| Kentucky | URLTA areas: at least 2 days' notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in emergencies or where impracticable; no abuse of access. Non-URLTA areas: no statute. KRS 383.615 |
| Maryland | Written notice at least 24 hours in advance stating the approximate date/time and specific purpose; entry only 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday, unless the tenant agrees in writing to another time or shorter notice. Permitted purposes include repairs/maintenance, inspections, showing the unit, safety, government-ordered work, and responding to a written tenant request. No notice needed in an emergency. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221 |
| North Carolina | No statute — North Carolina's landlord-tenant chapter (G.S. Chapter 42) sets no notice period or rules for landlord entry; entry is governed by the lease. N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42 (checked; no entry section) |
| Tennessee | No general advance-notice requirement. In URLTA counties, the tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, or when utilities are off through no fault of the landlord. Otherwise the landlord may enter only by court order, if the unit is abandoned or surrendered, if the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated, or as the statute otherwise allows. Showings to prospective tenants in the final 30 days of the lease are allowed only if the lease provides for them and 24 hours' notice is given. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Non-URLTA counties: no statute; the lease governs entry. T.C.A. 66-28-403; ch. 66-7 (checked) |
| West Virginia | No statute W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 (no entry-notice section) |
| District of Columbia | Written notice at least 48 hours in advance (unless the tenant agrees in writing to less), entry only 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and not on Sundays or federal holidays (unless the tenant agrees), and only for a listed reasonable purpose. No notice needed in an emergency. Email/text notice counts only if the tenant acknowledges it in writing; otherwise paper notice is also required. D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Landlord Entry Rules in Virginia FAQ
Can a landlord enter without notice in Virginia?
Landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant. No notice needed in an emergency, when impractical, or when the tenant requested the maintenance. (Va. Code 55.1-1229)
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.