Get free answers to your Landlord - Tenant legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I was promised by my landlord via phone and email on May 29th that appliances would be replaced. The stove was replaced on that day, but it was installed unevenly, preventing proper cooking, and it has a sharp edge sticking out, posing a danger. Considering my landlord usually takes a long time to... View More 
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
You have a right to a safe, habitable living space and appliances that work as promised. Under the implied warranty of habitability, any appliance you rely on must be maintained in good repair. Because your landlord promised to replace the stove and installed it unevenly with a sharp edge, you can... View More
I have received a cease and desist letter from my HOA for allegedly violating the covenant that states "no dog may be tied and left unattended outdoors." My dog is leashed in the front yard, and I supervise her from my living room through the glass storm door with the front door open.... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
This kind of situation can feel frustrating, especially when you’ve been attentive and no one raised concerns before now. If you’re supervising your dog through the glass door and the dog is not left for extended periods, your argument is that the pet is not truly "unattended" in a... View More
I’m trying to rent an apartment and have already provided documentation verifying my income from various benefits sources. However, I received an email stating I must give Nova Credit access to my banking information where my income is deposited for additional verification. I'm concerned... View More
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answered on Jun 10, 2025
It’s completely understandable to be uncomfortable with giving any company direct access to your bank account. In Virginia, companies like Nova Credit can *ask* for access as part of their screening process, but you’re not legally required to grant it. However, landlords may choose not to... View More
I want to remove a family member who has been living in our family home in Dunnsville, VA for over 10 years. The house hasn't been kept up, has mold and termites, and the family member refuses to leave so repairs can be made. I was informed by Tappahannock that as long as there isn't a... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
If you have a partial interest in the property, retain counsel and file a petition for sale in lieu of partition. Once approved, the legal fees will come out of the sale of the property.
I've been living in my apartment complex for six months, and it feels like I'm being singled out for alleged violations. Initially, my leasing partner wasn't on the lease due to job relocation, but receiving mail here forced her onto the lease under threat of fines or eviction.... View More
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answered on Jun 12, 2025
What you're experiencing does sound frustrating, especially when it feels like the rules are being enforced unevenly. In Virginia, your landlord does have the right to enforce lease terms, but they must apply those terms consistently across all tenants. Singling you out for issues that are... View More
I own a vehicle that my daughter-in-law drives. It is registered in my name, and I am responsible for the loan and all related fees. We added her to our insurance policy so that she and my son could have a safe vehicle for our grandchildren. Now they are separating, and she believes she is entitled... View More
answered on May 28, 2025
You probably should consult with your son's legal counsel. A court is likely to give your son the responsibility to pay the loan and the insurance and satisfy all obligations to you, so that his children can be safely transported, but I don't think the court will have jurisdiction to... View More
Four years ago, I rented my property under a one-year lease to a tenant who paid a security deposit. After the first year, the lease converted to a month-to-month arrangement. Fifteen months after moving in, her partner was added to the lease with my permission. A few months ago, the original... View More
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answered on Jun 5, 2025
You need to treat the security deposit as belonging to the existing lease and hold it for inspection and potential damage deductions. After the original tenant moved out, you must conduct a move‐out inspection, document any damage or cleaning deficiencies, and return any remaining funds to the... View More
I am currently under a protective order that gives my spouse exclusive use of our family home, which is solely in his name. With this order in place, can he legally sell or rent the home before the order expires in a year?
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
You're in a difficult situation, and it's understandable to want clarity on what rights your spouse has right now. A protective order granting exclusive use of the home typically means that while your spouse has the right to live there, that doesn’t automatically give them the freedom... View More
I experienced two changes in management in my rental property in Virginia last year, and I was not notified by the landlord about these changes. There are unresolved issues and promises made by the previous management that have not been addressed by the new management. What are the legal... View More
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answered on May 16, 2025
In Virginia, landlords are required to notify tenants if there is a change in property management, though there isn't a specific statute outlining the exact manner of notification. However, tenants are entitled to be informed of any changes that affect how they communicate with the property... View More
I signed a lease through a county resident curator program for an 18th-century property and discovered lead-based paint layers that were not disclosed prior to signing. As resident curators, we agreed to take on the property "as is," responsible for rehab and maintenance in exchange for... View More
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answered on May 16, 2025
Q: Lead paint issue in leased curator property, county responsibility?
I signed a lease through a county resident curator program for an 18th-century property and discovered lead-based paint layers that were not disclosed prior to signing. As resident curators, we agreed to take on the... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More
answered on May 12, 2025
Dogs are considered personal property. It is only when a person is injured that there can be a recovery for non-economic damages. You can only recover from the landlord if their homeowners’ policy liability coverage applies to the dogs. You can try sending a letter outlining your damages and the... View More
I am facing a potential eviction in Virginia after receiving a 30-day notice following a dispute over a clogged sewer outlet pump. I'm renting a basement apartment in a house with separate leases per floor. The issue arose at the end of last month when a ropey material was found in the pump... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
This situation feels incredibly frustrating, especially when you’ve paid your rent and had no prior issues. In Virginia, a landlord is allowed to end a month-to-month lease for any reason as long as they provide a written 30-day notice that complies with state law. That means they don’t need to... View More
In 2018, I rented a commercial building with internet from a landlord to set up a woodworking shop. I informed the landlord that I would be converting part of the building into an apartment and would only rent it if I could live there. The landlord agreed verbally, and I invested thousands of... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What happened to you is frustrating and unfair, especially after you put your time, money, and trust into creating a livable and functional space. If the building was zoned strictly for commercial use, then converting part of it into an apartment without proper permits likely violated local zoning... View More
I left my house about 5 years ago after being kicked out by my mother-in-law, who did not follow any formal eviction process. My name was on the house at the time, and I continued paying payments before I left. My mother-in-law took another loan out on it without informing me and picked up the... View More
answered on May 6, 2025
Low income or not, there is very little a lawyer can do without examining title and understanding what has happened in legal terms. If you cannot afford that as to valuable real estate, you might try calling the local county bar association or find out if Legal Services still exists in your... View More
I am currently in a relationship where we've been living together for two years but aren't married. Both of our names are on the lease, and my partner has always been responsible for paying the rent. Recently, I discovered that he is cheating. Although he has verbally agreed to continue... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
This is a painful and frustrating situation, and you deserve support—both emotionally and practically. While it’s understandable to want a written agreement, the unfortunate reality is that without one, it's hard to legally force him to continue paying unless he stops altogether. Since... View More
I'm experiencing daily harassment from my landlord, which has increased my anxiety. I live alone and am disabled. My landlord often visits unannounced, yells, and even enters my apartment without permission. My home needs repairs due to neglect, including water damage, and he often complains... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
What you're going through is not only wrong—it may be illegal. In Virginia, your landlord is required to give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering your home, unless there is an emergency. Entering without permission, especially on a regular basis, could be considered a violation of... View More
I am preparing a case against my former landlord's property management company in Virginia, citing Young v. Lambert and Kiddell v. Labowitz to support my claims regarding de facto landlord liability and breach of contract. The property management company performed all typical landlord duties,... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
In Young v. Lambert, Virginia courts held that a management company performing all landlord functions can be treated as the de facto landlord for liability purposes. Kiddell v. Labowitz reinforces that an agent who controls rent collection, repairs, and communications owes the same contractual and... View More
I'm in the process of negotiating a lease for a rental property in Northern Virginia, where the landlord has included an additional term requiring a $125 maintenance deductible for "all maintenance items." I'm concerned because the term is vague and could imply I have to pay... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Virginia, it is legal for landlords to include maintenance terms in leases, but the terms must be clear and reasonable. A $125 maintenance deductible for "all maintenance items" could be problematic if it’s vague and doesn’t specify whether it applies to repairs not caused by the... View More
I am renting a property and recently tried to help someone with temporary living arrangements. This person has become problematic, and I have a protective order preventing them from contacting me and my children. The police and my leasing office suggested I change my lock code because someone... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Yes, you can change the lock code without providing it to the person who is not on your lease, especially considering the safety concerns you have mentioned. As a tenant, you have the right to control access to your home, and if someone is entering your property without permission, you are entitled... View More
I have been living in an apartment rental in Virginia with a roommate who recently got two dogs, resulting in several violations for excessive pet urine, feces, and food left on the floor. I have documented these violations with photos showing the conditions and have maintained recent communication... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
You do have legal standing in this situation, especially since you’ve documented the violations caused by your roommate. The 21/30 notice to quit and non-renewal of the lease could be considered a direct result of your roommate’s actions, which are causing damage to the property. The lease... View More
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