Virginia Beach, VA asked in Landlord - Tenant for Virginia

Q: Can my apartment complex charge for liability and an additional monthly trash (trash compactor)?

The building has changed management companies in March and we have noticed these recurring monthly charges for "BH Liability" & "Monthly Trash".

There is nothing in our lease that talks about a $12 liability charge. We are required by lease to have our own renters insurance.

Our lease clearly states that there is a flat rate of $25 for our valet trash. This is the only place in the lease that it specifies trash related charges. Yet there has been an additional $5 charge for trash.

I plan on talking with the leasing office to inquire about these charges. I would like to be the most prepared that I can be to discuss if these charges are in accordance to our lease. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time!

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1 Lawyer Answer
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Alexandria, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: In Virginia, a lease is a contract that cannot be modified by a unilateral act by one party, unless all parties to the lease agree in writing to the modifications, which would include additional charges that were not contained in the original lease.

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