Norfolk Landlord-Tenant Rules

Local rental assistance (eviction prevention): The Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center (Department of Neighborhood Services) gives one-time financial help to eligible Norfolk renters facing eviction after an unforeseen hardship. Requirements: you live in a Norfolk rental; past-due rent is at least $100 and no more than $1,500; your landlord agrees to take part; gross household income is at or below 80% of area median income; you meet minimum risk factors; and you have not received help from the Center in the last 12 months (counted from when payment was made to the landlord). It is not emergency or long-term assistance, and applications are taken in limited windows (for example, a maximum of 25 applications on November 17, 2026 at 10 a.m.). Applying does not change a court date: you must still go to court. Contact 757-664-6363 or evictionprevention@norfolk.gov.; Landlord & Tenant Relations Officer: The City's Landlord and Tenant Relations Officer helps with rental concerns when issues arise between a landlord and tenant or when general advice is needed, including the process for paying rent into escrow when repairs are unresolved. Contact the officer through the Norfolk Cares Center at (757) 664-6510. Through Rent Ready Norfolk, renters can also request a free quality assessment of a unit's interior, exterior and common areas before or after moving in, and attend free renter workshops (rentready@norfolk.gov).; Habitability & code-enforcement complaint line: Neighborhood Quality enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, the International Property Maintenance Code and related City ordinances. To ask a question or request an inspection, contact Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510 or healthyneighborhoods@norfolk.gov.; Illegal lockouts - where to file: The City says a landlord may not lock a tenant out, shut off vital utilities, or restrict access to on-site services without going to court. A tenant facing such a 'self-help eviction' can go to the General District Court clerk's office at 150 St. Paul's Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510 and file Form DC-431, 'Tenant's Petition for Relief from Unlawful Exclusion'. Tenants being evicted or at risk can call the Eviction Legal Helpline, 1-833-NoEvict.