Virginia · Security Deposit: Damage vs Wear

Virginia Security Deposits: Wear vs Damage

Short answer
Shared

Virginia landlords must itemize deductions within 45 days and figure damages less reasonable wear and tear, under Va. Code §55.1-1226.

High confidence · Verified Sep 19, 2026 · 1 source

What to do next

What to do next

  1. Put the repair request in writing

    Send it to the landlord, date it, and keep a copy.

Work through the full repair checklist

If the repair is yours to pay

Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.

Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)

Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.

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Responsibility Boundary

Default rule and exceptions

Virginia landlords must itemize the security deposit and any deductions, and deliver the balance due, within 45 days after tenancy termination, and may only deduct damages the tenant caused less reasonable wear and tear (Va. Code §55.1-1226).

PartyWhat they are responsible for
LandlordItemize deductions and deliver the balance due within 45 days of tenancy termination, deducting only tenant-caused damages less reasonable wear and tear.
TenantIs not liable for reasonable wear and tear, which is subtracted from any damages figure the landlord claims.
ExceptionsNone on record

What the source says

Last verified against the primary source on Sep 19, 2026.

the payment of the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with § 55.1-1227, less reasonable wear and tear.
Va. Code §55.1-1226(A) (damages figured 'less reasonable wear and tear'), checked Sep 13, 2026
The security deposit and any deductions, damages, and charges shall be itemized by the landlord in a written notice given to the tenant, together with any amount due to the tenant, within 45 days after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last.
Va. Code §55.1-1226(A) (45-day itemization deadline), checked Sep 13, 2026

Common questions

Who pays for security deposit: damage vs wear in Statewide, VA?

Responsibility is shared. Itemize deductions and deliver the balance due within 45 days of tenancy termination, deducting only tenant-caused damages less reasonable wear and tear.

What is this based on for Statewide, VA?

This verdict is sourced to Va. Code §55.1-1226(A) (damages figured 'less reasonable wear and tear') and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.

Sources

  1. Va. Code §55.1-1226(A) (damages figured 'less reasonable wear and tear')statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
  2. Va. Code §55.1-1226(A) (45-day itemization deadline)statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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