Richmond Landlord-Tenant Rules
Richmond 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.
| Rental registration/inspection | On November 10, 2025, City Council adopted Ord. 2025-161, adding a Residential Rental Inspection Program to City Code Chapter 5 (Art. VI, Secs. 5-160 to 5-167) under Va. Code § 36-105.1:1. The ordinance does not itself designate any Rental Inspection Districts; each district requires a separate Council action after review of factors such as building code or health violations, public safety responses and tenant petitions. Tenants, advocacy groups and residents can ask for parcels to be designated. The City said it would spend about six months setting up the program's policies and request process. Mayor's release (Nov. 11, 2025): https://www.rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements-mayors-office/news/mayor-avula-champions-major-wins-affordable. No designated district was found as of this check. |
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| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Report housing and property maintenance code problems to the Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement Division, 804-646-6398 or PropertyMaintenance@rva.gov, or through RVA311 (rva311.com or dial 311). Have the property's street address and the specific problem ready. You do not have to give your name. If the property is a rental, the tenant may also receive a violation notice for problems the tenant caused. Source: Official source |
| Eviction diversion | Richmond's Eviction Diversion Program, run by Southside Community Development & Housing Corp., helps pay past-due rent for people renting in the City of Richmond, with the goal of bringing the balance to zero within three months or less. The landlord must take part. Apply through scdhc.com/eviction-diversion-program. The City's Housing Resource Line, 804-422-5061 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), connects residents to housing programs. Separately, the Richmond General District Court posts state Eviction Diversion Program forms: https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/gd/richmond_city/home. Source: Official source |
| Tenant right to counsel (city-funded) | The City funds a Right to Counsel for Evictions program run by Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS). Ord. 2025-001 (adopted January 27, 2025) set aside $500,000 for it, and the City says Richmonders who need legal help with a housing matter can apply through it. It is a funded program, not a legal guarantee of a lawyer. CVLAS Richmond office: 804-648-1012 or 800-868-1012; it handles eviction defense, lockouts and utility cutoffs, repairs and deposit recovery. Current program reference: City release of June 4, 2026, https://rva.gov/strategic-communications-press-releases-and-announcements/news/mayor-danny-avula-city-leaders-and. CVLAS services and phone numbers: https://cvlas.org/our-services/. Eligibility rules were not published on the pages read. Source: Richmond Ord. 2025-001 |
Eviction cases in Richmond are heard in: Richmond City General District Court, Civil Division, John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St., Room 203; (804) 646-6461 (Marsh Manchester civil: (804) 646-6677)
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
City-funded program, not a legal right: Right to Counsel for Evictions through Central Virginia Legal Aid Society. Official source
Local agencies
- Richmond Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement Division — Investigates housing and property maintenance code complaints. 804-646-6398; RVA311.
- Richmond Department of Housing and Community Development — Eviction prevention and homeless services; Housing Resource Line 804-422-5061.
- Central Virginia Legal Aid Society — Free eviction defense and other housing help for eligible low-income residents; runs the City-funded Right to Counsel program. 804-648-1012.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Richmond add on top of Virginia law?
Rental registration/inspection: On November 10, 2025, City Council adopted Ord. 2025-161, adding a Residential Rental Inspection Program to City Code Chapter 5 (Art. VI, Secs. 5-160 to 5-167) under Va. Code § 36-105.1:1. The ordinance does not itself designate any Rental Inspection Districts; each district requires a separate Council action after review of factors such as building code or health violations, public safety responses and tenant petitions. Tenants, advocacy groups and residents can ask for parcels to be designated. The City said it would spend about six months setting up the program's policies and request process.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Report housing and property maintenance code problems to the Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement Division, 804-646-6398 or PropertyMaintenance@rva.gov, or through RVA311 (rva311.com or dial 311). Have the property's street address and the specific problem ready. You do not have to give your name. If the property is a rental, the tenant may also receive a violation notice for problems the tenant caused.; Eviction diversion: Richmond's Eviction Diversion Program, run by Southside Community Development & Housing Corp., helps pay past-due rent for people renting in the City of Richmond, with the goal of bringing the balance to zero within three months or less. The landlord must take part. Apply through scdhc.com/eviction-diversion-program. The City's Housing Resource Line, 804-422-5061 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), connects residents to housing programs.; Tenant right to counsel (city-funded): The City funds a Right to Counsel for Evictions program run by Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS). Ord. 2025-001 (adopted January 27, 2025) set aside $500,000 for it, and the City says Richmonders who need legal help with a housing matter can apply through it. It is a funded program, not a legal guarantee of a lawyer. CVLAS Richmond office: 804-648-1012 or 800-868-1012; it handles eviction defense, lockouts and utility cutoffs, repairs and deposit recovery.
← All Virginia landlord-tenant rules
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.