Virginia Deposit return deadline
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Virginia?
Itemized written notice plus any amount owed within 45 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later.
Verified Source: Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A) · last checked 2026-10-15
How this works in Virginia
Virginia allows 45 days from the end of the tenancy or the move-out date, whichever is later, to send a written, itemized notice of the deposit and any deductions. Deductions are limited to accrued rent and lease late charges, damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, other lease charges, and actual damages for breach.
Step by step in Virginia
- Start the 45-day count from the later of the termination date or the day the tenant vacates.
- Limit deductions to what the statute lists, and exclude reasonable wear and tear.
- Itemize the deposit and each deduction in a written notice.
- With more than one tenant, send one check payable to all of them to the forwarding address one tenant gave you, unless they all agreed otherwise in writing.
- If nobody gives you a forwarding address, keep holding the deposit in escrow.
Common Virginia mistakes to avoid
- Starting the clock on the wrong date.
- Writing separate refund checks to co-tenants without their written agreement.
- Charging for reasonable wear and tear.
- Collecting more than two months' rent as a deposit in the first place.
Sources for this section: Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A), (B) (checked 2026-10-17)
Same topic in neighboring states
All Virginia landlord-tenant law · Virginia landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone) · Move-in checklist
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