CPHD
Tenant/Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
Landlord Seminar
This free event is open to landlords and property managers who own and/or manage fewer than five residential properties in Arlington. This seminar will examine the nuts and bolts of landlord-tenant law with particular focus on understanding the common law that governs landlords owning fewer than five residential rental properties. This seminar will also examine lease requirements, tenant screening, and the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Pre-registration is required.
Rights and Responsibilities
Arlington County provides information, referrals, advice and mediation of disputes regarding the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. When the landlord owns and rents out 5 units (condominiums, townhouses, or single family homes) or more, the requirements of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (PDF Format) (VRLTA) apply to both the landlord and the tenants. For landlords renting 4 units or less, VRLTA does not apply and it is the lease that is most important. The Housing Information Center staff is available at 703-228-3765 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or send us an email. Staff are bi-lingual in English-Spanish.
The Tenant Landlord Handbook (PDF Format) describes a variety of topics and is based on VRLTA.
Useful Documents
The links below provide more specific information about a number of different of practices and procedures.
- Application Process (PDF Format): a guide to the application and screening process that is useful to both tenants and landlords.
- Application Fees (PDF Format): a definition of application fees and rights of the landlord and tenant.
- Apartment Check-in List (PDF Format): to document the physical condition of the unit at the beginning of the tenancy.
- Eviction Procedure (PDF Format): outlines the eviction process for nonpayment of rent, a lease violation, or to end the tenancy.
- Landlord Non-compliance (PDF Format): description of tenant's use of 21-30 day notice for landlord non-compliance.
- Relocation (PDF Format): Arlington County’s Tenant Relocation Guidelines outlines expectations regarding the displacement of tenants at complexes undergoing redevelopment.
- Rent Escrow (PDF Format): summarizes requirements and procedures for rent escrow.
- Security Deposit (PDF Format): information regarding the final inspection, deductions, timely return and interest owed on security deposits.
- Vacating an Apartment (PDF Format): information on ending a lease and vacating an apartment.
- Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (PDF Format): (VRLTA) the state tenant landlord act that in general applies to landlord with 5 units or more.
* The Landlord Package provides basic information that an owner may need to rent an condominium, cooperative apartment or house. The Landlord Package includes: An Owners Guide to the Application Process, Apartment Check-In List, Disclosure Information on Lead-Based Paint and Lead–Based Paint Hazards, the Eviction Process, the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, The Basics of Landlord & Tenant Law.
This is available only in hard copy by contacting our office at 703.228.3765 or by sending us an email.