Exclusive of actual third-party screening expenses; $32 for covered HUD-regulated units.
The shorter branch depends on landlord rejection and specified payment methods.
Lesser of 10% periodic rent or 10% remaining balance due; written agreement required.
After a written tenant request under §55.1-1204.
Measured from the later statutory trigger.
Covered methods must be clearly stated under §55.1-1212.
Virginia charge guides
Each topic below is tied to the Virginia statute that controls that specific process instead of mixing application, payment, deposit, damage and utility rules together.
Security Deposit
Virginia security deposit cap, 45-day disposition, deductions, inspection rights and records.
Open guide →Two-Month Deposit Limit
Virginia landlords may not demand or receive a security deposit exceeding two months’ periodic rent.
Open guide →45-Day Deposit Rule
Virginia’s 45-day itemization/refund rule and limited additional 15-day contractor period.
Open guide →Move-Out Inspection
Virginia tenant right to be present at the security-deposit inspection and the 72-hour timing rule.
Open guide →Reasonable Wear & Tear
Virginia damage deductions must account for reasonable wear and tear.
Open guide →Deduction Records
Virginia landlords must keep itemized security-deposit deduction records and allow tenant inspection.
Open guide →Contractor Extension
Virginia’s limited 15-day extension when damages exceed the deposit and require a third-party contractor.
Open guide →Utility Billing & RUBS
Virginia residential RUBS, energy/water submetering, allocation, billing-period, service-fee, late-charge and tenant-record rules under § 55.1-1212.
Open guide →Damage Insurance Option
Virginia may allow qualifying damage insurance instead of a cash security deposit.
Open guide →Application, Late & Payment Fees
Virginia rules for application fees and deposits, rent late fees, written charge statements and payment-processing fees under §§ 55.1-1203 and 55.1-1204.
Open guide →Payment method can change the fee analysis
Virginia’s current §55.1-1204 requires a fee-free payment alternative before a landlord charges a collection/processing fee, and electronic/card processing fees are tied to actual third-party out-of-pocket costs. Keep the payment options and processor disclosure rather than reviewing only the ledger label.
Official sources
Current 2026 application-fee and application-deposit law, including the $50 general application-fee cap, $32 HUD-regulated-unit cap, third-party screening-cost treatment and application-deposit refund timing. The official page also displays a later version effective July 1, 2027.
Virginia General Assembly — Virginia LawVirginia Code § 55.1-1204 — Rental agreement, rent and payment fees ↗Current 2026 law governing written rental agreements, written charge statements, rent late-fee limits and payment-processing fee conditions. The official page also displays a later version effective July 1, 2027.
Virginia General Assembly — Virginia LawVirginia Code § 55.1-1226 — Security deposits ↗Primary law for the two-month cap, 45-day disposition, inspection rights, deduction records, utility holdbacks and damage-insurance option.
Virginia General Assembly — Virginia LawVirginia Code § 55.1-1212 — Submetering, allocation & RUBS ↗Current 2026 text for residential energy/water submetering, energy allocation equipment, ratio utility billing systems, billing periods, service charges, late charges and tenant record access. The official page also displays a future version effective July 1, 2027.
Virginia General Assembly — Virginia LawVirginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act ↗Official consolidated text of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.