Virginia Repairs and habitability remedies

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Virginia?

For serious conditions such as no heat, water or electricity, rodents, or lead paint, the tenant can give written notice and, if the landlord doesn't fix it within a reasonable time, pay rent into court escrow (§ 55.1-1244). If an essential service is willfully or negligently not supplied, the tenant can recover reduced rental value or get substitute housing rent-free (§ 55.1-1239).

Verified Source: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1244 (version effective until Jan. 1, 2027), 55.1-1239 · last checked 2026-10-15