*Please note: Any questions regarding Legal Hotline Spotlights should be submitted via the Virginia REALTORS^® Legal Hotline. Our attorneys are unable to respond to questions through our comments section.

Q: “I heard something about a new law affecting maintenance fees that went into effect on July 1. Can you provide a little more information?”

A: Sure, that’s why we’re here! HB 1005/SB 313 amended Virginia Code § 55.1-1208, which now states: “Unless necessitated by the tenant’s violation of a requirement of [the VRLTA], no landlord shall require a tenant to pay any fee for the maintenance or repair of any dwelling unit.” This means that if you are conducting routine maintenance during the course of the tenant’s lease term, you are not allowed to charge them. If, on the other hand, you are repairing water damage to a floor caused by the tenant leaving the shower on, you may charge the tenant for that repair.  

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