Lease Agreement Template for Virginia

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Document Version: 3.4 (Virginia Residential Compliance)
• Jurisdiction & Scope: Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1200 et seq., Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer: This residential lease agreement template is designed to comply with the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). However, local municipal ordinances (such as county-specific building codes or tenant protection acts) and evolving state statutes may impose additional requirements. This document does not constitute formal legal counsel. Both Landlord and Tenant are advised to consult with a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia prior to execution.

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1. PARTIES & PREMISES

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on [Date], by and between:

• Landlord: [Landlord's Full Legal Name / Business Entity Name], with a primary mailing address of [Landlord's Address] ("Landlord"), and
• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] ("Tenant").

1.1 Demised Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant takes from Landlord, the real property and improvements located at:
[Street Address, Unit Number, City, State, ZIP Code] ("Premises").

1.2 Occupants: The Premises shall be occupied strictly and solely by the Tenant(s) named above and the following minor occupants: [List Names/Ages of Minor Occupants, or write "None"].

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2. TERM

2.1 Initial Term: The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Lease Start Date] ("Commencement Date") and expire at 11:59 PM on [Lease End Date] ("Expiration Date"), unless renewed or terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions hereof.

2.2 Holdover: If Tenant remains in possession of the Premises after the expiration of this Agreement without Landlord's written consent, Tenant shall be deemed a tenant at sufferance, subject to a holdover penalty of [Dollar Amount, e.g., 150%]% of the then-current monthly rent, payable daily, without waiver of Landlord's right to evict.

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3. RENT & FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

3.1 Monthly Rent: Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord as base rent the sum of $ [Monthly Rent Amount] per month, due and payable in advance on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month.

3.2 Payment Mechanics: Rent shall be paid via [Payment Method, e.g., Electronic Portal / ACH / Certified Check] to Landlord at [Payment Address / Processing URL]. Cash is strictly prohibited.

3.3 Late Fees: Rent is strictly due on the 1st of the month. If rent is not received by Landlord by 11:59 PM on the [Due Date, e.g., fifth (5th)] day of the month, Tenant shall immediately pay a late charge of $ [Late Fee Amount] or [Late Fee Percentage]% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater, as liquidated damages, in strict compliance with Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1204(E).

3.4 Returned Payments: If any payment is returned for insufficient funds (NSF) or stopped payment, Tenant shall pay a returned payment fee of $ [NSF Fee Amount, max allowable by law] plus any applicable bank fees.

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4. SECURITY DEPOSIT

4.1 Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of $ [Security Deposit Amount] ("Security Deposit"), which shall not exceed two (2) months' periodic rent pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1226.

4.2 Interest & Holding: The Security Deposit shall be held in an escrow account located at [Name of Bank/Financial Institution] in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Interest shall be paid to Tenant if and to the extent required by Virginia law or municipal ordinance.

4.3 Return of Deposit: Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1226, Landlord shall return the Security Deposit (minus any lawful deductions for damages, unpaid rent, or utility charges) within forty-five (45 days) after the termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession to Landlord, accompanied by an itemized accounting of deductions.

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5. UTILITIES & SERVICES

Tenant shall be responsible for arranging and paying for all utilities and services associated with the Premises, except for the following, which shall be paid by Landlord:

• [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., Trash Collection, HOA Fees, or write "None"].

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6. VIRGINIA-SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES

6.1 Move-In Inspection Checklist: Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1214, Landlord and Tenant shall jointly inspect the Premises within five (5) days of occupancy (or Tenant shall have the right to inspect and report) using the Move-In Inspection Checklist attached hereto as Exhibit A.

6.2 Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Housing built prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. By signing below, Tenant acknowledges receipt of the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form attached as Exhibit B.

6.3 Defective Drywall Disclosure: In accordance with Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1218, Landlord discloses that the Premises [ ] has / [ ] has not been tested for reactive low-emission drywall (Chinese drywall). (If checked "has", attach specific disclosure).

6.4 Mold Disclosure: In accordance with Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1215, Tenant acknowledges the obligation to maintain the Premises to prevent mold growth and to promptly notify Landlord in writing of any visible mold or water accumulation.

6.5 Military Air Installation (Noise/Accident Zones): Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1217, Tenant is hereby notified that the Premises is located within a noise zone or accident potential zone associated with a military air installation. (Cross out if inapplicable): Yes [ ] / No [ ].

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7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & ALTERATIONS

7.1 Tenant Obligations: Tenant shall maintain the Premises in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord of any structural damage, plumbing leaks, electrical failures, or pest infestations.

7.2 Alterations: Tenant shall not paint, wallpaper, alter, or make structural modifications to the Premises without the prior express written consent of Landlord. Any authorized improvements shall become the property of Landlord upon termination of this Agreement.

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8. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

8.1 Tenant Default: If Tenant fails to pay rent when due, violates any material term of this Agreement, or breaches any statutory duty under the VRLTA, Landlord shall issue written notice specifying the default and allowing twenty-one (21) days to remedy the breach (or five (5) days in the case of non-payment of rent, pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1245).

8.2 Remedies: If the breach is not remedied within the statutory timeframe, Landlord may terminate this Agreement, initiate unlawful detainer proceedings, and pursue all available legal and equitable remedies, including the recovery of reasonable attorney's fees where permitted by law.

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9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

9.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed, construed, and interpreted by, through, and under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

9.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

9.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement, along with any attached exhibits and addenda, constitutes the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written understandings.

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10. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ____________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Printed Name]
Title: [Title / Owner / Managing Agent]
Date: [Date]

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TENANT(S):

Signature: ____________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

Signature: ____________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION & ENFORCEMENT GUIDE

1. Review & Customize: Fill in all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate data, ensuring that monetary figures (rent, deposit, late fees) comply with Virginia statutory limits and local municipal caps.
2. Mandatory Disclosures Attachment: Attach the Move-In Inspection Checklist (Exhibit A) and the EPA Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (Exhibit B) prior to presenting the document to the Tenant for signature.
3. Execution & Delivery: Ensure all adult tenants sign and date the document. Deliver a fully executed copy of the lease and all mandatory Virginia statutory disclosures to the Tenant within one (1) business day of execution, as required by the VRLTA.
4. Escrow Deposit: Deposit the Tenant's Security Deposit into a designated Virginia financial institution escrow account within the timeframe mandated by state law, and provide the Tenant with written confirmation of the account location if requested.