Richmond, VA — ICYMI yesterday, Virginia House Democrats passed a package of commonsense housing bills focused on lowering housing costs. House Democrats held a press conference today to celebrate the passage of these bills.
Together, these bills cut unnecessary fees, strengthen tenant protections, support military families and domestic violence survivors, and keep people in their homes — all key steps toward building an Affordable Virginia.
Lowering housing costs
- HB1005 (Del. Kathy Tran) requires landlords to accept rent payments in common, lawful ways — including checks, electronic payments, and cash — and bans unnecessary maintenance and repair fees that drive up housing costs.
- HB1093 (Del. Phil Hernandez) caps excessive attorney fees when tenants catch up on rent before their court date, helping families avoid spiraling eviction costs.
Stable Housing
- HB281 (Del. Katrina Callsen) and HB848 (Del. Rae Cousins) remove unfair court requirements that forced tenants to pay large sums upfront just to defend themselves in eviction cases, making the process more balanced and realistic.
- HB837 (Del. Adele McClure) expands access to Virginia’s Eviction Diversion Program and ensures tenants receive clear information about help that can keep them housed.
Quality Housing
- HB519 (Del. Marty Martinez) recognizes landlord-provided air conditioning as an essential service, protecting tenants during extreme heat.
- HB834 (Del. Adele McClure) requires landlords to work with tenants after fire or casualty damage before terminating a lease, instead of forcing families out with little notice.
Fair treatment
- HB616 (Del. Bonita Anthony) improves transparency by requiring landlords to provide tenants with clear, itemized records of rent, fees, and utilities.
- HB1078 (Del. Phil Hernandez) prevents large landlords from denying housing to people based solely on old or dismissed eviction cases, removing barriers to stable housing.
- HB1325 (Del. Michelle Maldonado) strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide rental agreements and tenant rights statements within 10 business days, and include specified flood insurance and fee disclosures.
Supporting military families and survivors
- HB174 (Del. Michael Feggans) makes it easier for service members to end a lease when military orders require relocation.
- HB1408 (Del. Charlie Schmidt) strengthens protections for survivors of family abuse so they are not penalized or evicted because of violence against them.
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