Roanoke, VA asked in Landlord - Tenant for Virginia

Q: In Va. I want to review my tenant file and all the contents. Am I within my rights to request this of my PM?

I want to go and request to review my tenant file with my property manager. I want to see what contents are in the file. The Property Manager is telling me no and that I am not entitled to review the file. If the file is about me and concerns me and residency then why can't I review it?

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2 Lawyer Answers
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Alexandria, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: Generally in Virginia, the files of the Property Manager are its business records and are private. If there is a lawsuit filed by you in Circuit Court against the PM, you will be entitled to discovery of the contents of the PM's file that relates to you.

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
Answered
  • Salem, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: See Virginia Code 55.1-1209-D, found here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title55.1/chapter12/section55.1-1209/

it says:

D. A tenant may request a copy of his tenant records in paper or electronic form. If the rental agreement so provides, a landlord may charge a tenant requesting more than one copy of his records the actual costs of preparing copies of such records. However, if the landlord makes available tenant records to each tenant by electronic portal, the tenant shall not be required to pay for access to such portal.

Therefore I disagree with the first answer posted on this question.

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