If the repair is yours to pay
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Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.
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Default rule and exceptions
In Virginia, a tenant can terminate the lease over a landlord's material noncompliance affecting health and safety by giving written notice with a 21-day cure period and a termination date at least 30 days out (Va. Code § 55.1-1234); alternatively, the tenant can go to court to have rent paid into escrow under § 55.1-1244.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Cure the material noncompliance within 21 days of written notice, or the tenant may terminate the lease or seek court-ordered rent escrow. |
| Tenant | Give written notice (21-day cure, 30-day termination date) and, if unremedied, terminate the lease or assert the condition in court to have rent held in escrow. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 16, 2026.
the tenant may serve a written notice on the landlord specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and stating that the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice if such breach is not remedied in 21 days.
The tenant may assert that there exists upon the leased premises a condition that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with provisions of law or that, if not promptly corrected, will constitute a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants.
City rules rest on state law. Read Virginia's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for rental: landlord won't repair (remedies) in Statewide, VA?
The landlord. Cure the material noncompliance within 21 days of written notice, or the tenant may terminate the lease or seek court-ordered rent escrow.
What is this based on for Statewide, VA?
This verdict is sourced to Va. Code § 55.1-1234: Noncompliance by landlord and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Va. Code § 55.1-1234: Noncompliance by landlordstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- Va. Code § 55.1-1244: Tenant's assertion; rent escrowstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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