{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1206.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1206.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1206.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1206.html"}],"law_id":68710,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68710,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1206","catch_line":"Landlord may obtain certain insurance for tenant","history":"2004, c. 123, \u00a7 55-248.7:2; 2005, c. 285; 2010, c. 550; 2012, c. 788; 2015, c. 596; 2018, c. 221; 2019, cc. 386, 394, 712; 2020, c. 998; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 427.","full_text":"A\n\nA landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have damage insurance and pay for the cost of premiums. As provided in § 55.1-1200, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit, but shall be rent. However, as provided in § 55.1-1208, the landlord shall not require a tenant to pay both a security deposit and the cost of damage insurance premiums if the total amount of any security deposit and damage insurance premiums exceeds the amount of two months’ periodic rent. The landlord shall notify a tenant in writing that the tenant has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord’s policy for damage insurance. If a tenant elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant shall submit to the landlord written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement. Where a landlord obtains damage insurance coverage on behalf of a tenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant as an insured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with administration of a damage insurance policy, including a tenant opting out of the insurance coverage provided by the landlord pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord obtains damage insurance for his tenants, the landlord shall provide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental agreement, a summary of the insurance policy or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. For a tenant that opts out of the landlord’s damage insurance program, the landlord shall allow such tenant to either provide their own damage insurance policy or pay the full security deposit.B\n\nA landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have renter’s insurance as specified in the rental agreement. A landlord may require a tenant to pay for the cost of premiums for such renter’s insurance obtained by the landlord, in order to provide such coverage for the tenant as part of rent or as otherwise provided in this section. As provided in § 55.1-1200, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit but shall be rent. The landlord shall notify a tenant in writing that the tenant has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord’s policy for renter’s insurance. If a tenant elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant shall submit to the landlord written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement. If a tenant allows his renter’s insurance policy required by the rental agreement to lapse for any reason, the landlord may provide any landlord’s renter’s insurance coverage to such tenant. The tenant shall be obligated to pay for the cost of premiums for such insurance as rent or as otherwise provided herein until the tenant has provided written documentation to the landlord showing that the tenant has reinstated his own renter’s insurance coverage.C\n\nIf the landlord requires that such premiums be paid to the landlord prior to the commencement of the tenancy, the total amount of all security deposits, insurance premiums for damage insurance, and insurance premiums for renter’s insurance shall not exceed the amount of two months’ periodic rent. However, the landlord shall be permitted to add a monthly amount as additional rent to recover additional costs of renter’s insurance premiums.D\n\nWhere a landlord obtains renter’s insurance coverage on behalf of a tenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant as an insured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with the administration of a renter’s insurance program, including a tenant opting out of the insurance coverage provided to the tenant pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord obtains renter’s insurance for his tenants, the landlord shall provide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental agreement, a summary of the insurance policy prepared by the insurer or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. Such summary or certificate shall include a statement regarding whether the insurance policy contains a waiver of subrogation provision. Any failure of the landlord to provide such summary or certificate, or to make available a copy of the insurance policy, shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement.\n\t\t\tIf the rental agreement does not require the tenant to obtain renter’s insurance, the landlord shall provide a written notice to the tenant, prior to the execution of the rental agreement, stating that (i) the landlord is not responsible for the tenant’s personal property, (ii) the landlord’s insurance coverage does not cover the tenant’s personal property, and (iii) if the tenant wishes to protect his personal property, he should obtain renter’s insurance. The notice shall inform the tenant that any such renter’s insurance obtained by the tenant does not cover flood damage and advise the tenant to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or visit the websites for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Flood Risk Information System to obtain information regarding whether the property is located in a special flood hazard area. Any failure of the landlord to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement. If the tenant requests translation of the notice from the English language to another language, the landlord may assist the tenant in obtaining a translator or refer the tenant to an electronic translation service. In doing so, the landlord shall not be deemed to have breached any of his obligations under this chapter or otherwise become liable for any inaccuracies in the translation. The landlord shall not charge a fee for such assistance or referral.E\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the landlord from recovering from the tenant, as part of the rent, the tenant’s prorated share of the actual costs of other insurance coverages provided by the landlord relative to the premises, or the tenant’s prorated share of a self-insurance program held in an escrow account by the landlord, including the landlord’s administrative or other fees associated with the administration of such coverages. The landlord may apply such funds held in escrow to pay claims pursuant to the landlord’s self-insurance plan.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248724,"text":"A landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have damage insurance and pay for the cost of premiums. As provided in § 55.1-1200, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit, but shall be rent. However, as provided in § 55.1-1208, the landlord shall not require a tenant to pay both a security deposit and the cost of damage insurance premiums if the total amount of any security deposit and damage insurance premiums exceeds the amount of two months’ periodic rent. The landlord shall notify a tenant in writing that the tenant has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord’s policy for damage insurance. If a tenant elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant shall submit to the landlord written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement. Where a landlord obtains damage insurance coverage on behalf of a tenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant as an insured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with administration of a damage insurance policy, including a tenant opting out of the insurance coverage provided by the landlord pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord obtains damage insurance for his tenants, the landlord shall provide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental agreement, a summary of the insurance policy or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. For a tenant that opts out of the landlord’s damage insurance program, the landlord shall allow such tenant to either provide their own damage insurance policy or pay the full security deposit.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":248725,"text":"A landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have renter’s insurance as specified in the rental agreement. A landlord may require a tenant to pay for the cost of premiums for such renter’s insurance obtained by the landlord, in order to provide such coverage for the tenant as part of rent or as otherwise provided in this section. As provided in § 55.1-1200, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit but shall be rent. The landlord shall notify a tenant in writing that the tenant has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord’s policy for renter’s insurance. If a tenant elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant shall submit to the landlord written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement. If a tenant allows his renter’s insurance policy required by the rental agreement to lapse for any reason, the landlord may provide any landlord’s renter’s insurance coverage to such tenant. The tenant shall be obligated to pay for the cost of premiums for such insurance as rent or as otherwise provided herein until the tenant has provided written documentation to the landlord showing that the tenant has reinstated his own renter’s insurance coverage.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":248726,"text":"If the landlord requires that such premiums be paid to the landlord prior to the commencement of the tenancy, the total amount of all security deposits, insurance premiums for damage insurance, and insurance premiums for renter’s insurance shall not exceed the amount of two months’ periodic rent. However, the landlord shall be permitted to add a monthly amount as additional rent to recover additional costs of renter’s insurance premiums.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":248727,"text":"Where a landlord obtains renter’s insurance coverage on behalf of a tenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant as an insured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with the administration of a renter’s insurance program, including a tenant opting out of the insurance coverage provided to the tenant pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord obtains renter’s insurance for his tenants, the landlord shall provide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental agreement, a summary of the insurance policy prepared by the insurer or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. Such summary or certificate shall include a statement regarding whether the insurance policy contains a waiver of subrogation provision. Any failure of the landlord to provide such summary or certificate, or to make available a copy of the insurance policy, shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement.\n\t\t\tIf the rental agreement does not require the tenant to obtain renter’s insurance, the landlord shall provide a written notice to the tenant, prior to the execution of the rental agreement, stating that (i) the landlord is not responsible for the tenant’s personal property, (ii) the landlord’s insurance coverage does not cover the tenant’s personal property, and (iii) if the tenant wishes to protect his personal property, he should obtain renter’s insurance. The notice shall inform the tenant that any such renter’s insurance obtained by the tenant does not cover flood damage and advise the tenant to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or visit the websites for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Flood Risk Information System to obtain information regarding whether the property is located in a special flood hazard area. Any failure of the landlord to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement. If the tenant requests translation of the notice from the English language to another language, the landlord may assist the tenant in obtaining a translator or refer the tenant to an electronic translation service. In doing so, the landlord shall not be deemed to have breached any of his obligations under this chapter or otherwise become liable for any inaccuracies in the translation. The landlord shall not charge a fee for such assistance or referral.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":248728,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the landlord from recovering from the tenant, as part of the rent, the tenant’s prorated share of the actual costs of other insurance coverages provided by the landlord relative to the premises, or the tenant’s prorated share of a self-insurance program held in an escrow account by the landlord, including the landlord’s administrative or other fees associated with the administration of such coverages. The landlord may apply such funds held in escrow to pay claims pursuant to the landlord’s self-insurance plan.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15277,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:32","permalink":{"id":245887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15277,"identifier":"1","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13073,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":245885,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14100,"identifier":"12","token":"55.1\/III\/12","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13073,"edition_id":1,"name":"Rental Conveyances","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","permalink":{"id":245883,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13073,"identifier":"III","token":"55.1\/III","url":"\/55.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61413,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-1200\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1200","metadata":false},{"id":83636,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1201","catch_line":"Applicability of chapter; local authority","url":"\/55.1-1201\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1201","metadata":false},{"id":69095,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1202","catch_line":"Notice","url":"\/55.1-1202\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1202","metadata":false},{"id":58146,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1203","catch_line":"Application; deposit, fee, and additional information","url":"\/55.1-1203\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1203","metadata":false},{"id":82906,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1204","catch_line":"Terms and conditions of rental agreement; payment of rent; copy of rental agreement for tenant","url":"\/55.1-1204\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1204","metadata":false},{"id":84327,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1204.1","catch_line":"Fee disclosure statement","url":"\/55.1-1204.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1204.1","metadata":false},{"id":62292,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1205","catch_line":"Prepaid rent; maintenance of escrow account","url":"\/55.1-1205\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1205","metadata":false},{"id":68710,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1206","catch_line":"Landlord may obtain certain insurance for tenant","url":"\/55.1-1206\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1206","metadata":false},{"id":60062,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1207","catch_line":"Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement","url":"\/55.1-1207\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1207","metadata":false},{"id":64224,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1208","catch_line":"Prohibited provisions in rental agreements","url":"\/55.1-1208\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1208","metadata":false},{"id":67212,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1208.1","catch_line":"Rental agreements; child care","url":"\/55.1-1208.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1208.1","metadata":false},{"id":81763,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1209","catch_line":"Confidentiality of tenant records","url":"\/55.1-1209\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1209","metadata":false},{"id":67680,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1209.1","catch_line":"Employees of the landlord; rental dwelling unit keys and electronic key codes; policies and procedures","url":"\/55.1-1209.1\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1209.1","metadata":false},{"id":75393,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1210","catch_line":"Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access","url":"\/55.1-1210\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1210","metadata":false},{"id":65452,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1211","catch_line":"Appointment of resident agent by nonresident property owner; service of process, etc., on such agent or on Secretary of the Commonwealth","url":"\/55.1-1211\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1211","metadata":false},{"id":67894,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1212","catch_line":"Energy submetering, energy allocation equipment, sewer and water submetering equipment, and ratio utility billing systems; local government fees","url":"\/55.1-1212\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1212","metadata":false},{"id":61504,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1213","catch_line":"Transfer of deposits upon purchase","url":"\/55.1-1213\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1213","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62292,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1205","catch_line":"Prepaid rent; maintenance of escrow account","url":"\/55.1-1205\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1205","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60062,"structure_id":15277,"section_number":"55.1-1207","catch_line":"Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement","url":"\/55.1-1207\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1207","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1206\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 123<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2005, chapter 285<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 550<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 788<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 596<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 221<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 386<\/a>, 394<\/a>, and 712<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 998<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61413,"section_number":"55.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1200\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61413,"section_number":"55.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1200\/"},{"id":64224,"section_number":"55.1-1208","catch_line":"Prohibited provisions in rental agreements","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1208\/"}],"permalink":{"id":245917,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68710,"identifier":"55.1-1206","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1206","url":"\/55.1-1206\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1206\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/1\/55.1-1206","dublin_core":{"Title":"Landlord may obtain certain insurance for tenant","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1206","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A landlord<\/span> may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant<\/span> have damage insurance<\/span> and pay for the cost of premiums. As provided in § 55.1-1200<\/a>, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit<\/span>, but shall be rent<\/span>. However, as provided in § 55.1-1208<\/a>, the landlord<\/span> shall not require a tenant<\/span> to pay both a security deposit<\/span> and the cost of damage insurance<\/span> premiums if the total amount of any security deposit<\/span> and damage insurance<\/span> premiums exceeds the amount of two months’ periodic rent<\/span>. The landlord<\/span> shall notify a tenant<\/span> in writing that the tenant<\/span> has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord<\/span>’s policy for damage insurance<\/span>. If a tenant<\/span> elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant<\/span> shall submit to the landlord<\/span> written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement<\/span>. Where a landlord<\/span> obtains damage insurance<\/span> coverage on behalf of a tenant<\/span>, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant<\/span> as an insured. The landlord<\/span> shall recover from the tenant<\/span> the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with administration of a damage insurance<\/span> policy, including a tenant<\/span> opting out of the insurance coverage provided by the landlord<\/span> pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord<\/span> obtains damage insurance<\/span> for his tenants<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> shall provide to each tenant<\/span>, prior to execution of the rental agreement<\/span>, a summary of the insurance policy or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant<\/span> make available a copy of the insurance policy. For a tenant<\/span> that opts out of the landlord<\/span>’s damage insurance<\/span> program, the landlord<\/span> shall allow such tenant<\/span> to either provide their own damage insurance<\/span> policy or pay the full security deposit<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A landlord<\/span> may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant<\/span> have renter’s insurance as specified in the rental agreement<\/span>. A landlord<\/span> may require a tenant<\/span> to pay for the cost of premiums for such renter’s insurance obtained by the landlord<\/span>, in order<\/span> to provide such coverage for the tenant<\/span> as part of rent<\/span> or as otherwise provided in this section. As provided in § 55.1-1200<\/a>, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit<\/span> but shall be rent<\/span>. The landlord<\/span> shall notify a tenant<\/span> in writing that the tenant<\/span> has the right to obtain a separate policy from the landlord<\/span>’s policy for renter’s insurance. If a tenant<\/span> elects to obtain a separate policy, the tenant<\/span> shall submit to the landlord<\/span> written proof of such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement<\/span>. If a tenant<\/span> allows his renter’s insurance policy required by the rental agreement<\/span> to lapse for any reason, the landlord<\/span> may provide any landlord<\/span>’s renter’s insurance coverage to such tenant<\/span>. The tenant<\/span> shall be obligated to pay for the cost of premiums for such insurance as rent<\/span> or as otherwise provided herein until the tenant<\/span> has provided written documentation to the landlord<\/span> showing that the tenant<\/span> has reinstated his own renter’s insurance coverage. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the landlord<\/span> requires that such premiums be paid to the landlord<\/span> prior to the commencement of the tenancy, the total amount of all security deposits<\/span>, insurance premiums for damage insurance<\/span>, and insurance premiums for renter’s insurance shall not exceed the amount of two months’ periodic rent<\/span>. However, the landlord<\/span> shall be permitted to add a monthly amount as additional rent<\/span> to recover additional costs of renter’s insurance premiums. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Where a landlord<\/span> obtains renter’s insurance coverage on behalf of a tenant<\/span>, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant<\/span> as an insured. The landlord<\/span> shall recover from the tenant<\/span> the actual costs of such insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with the administration of a renter’s insurance program, including a tenant<\/span> opting out of the insurance coverage provided to the tenant<\/span> pursuant to this subsection. If a landlord<\/span> obtains renter’s insurance for his tenants<\/span>, the landlord<\/span> shall provide to each tenant<\/span>, prior to execution of the rental agreement<\/span>, a summary of the insurance policy prepared by the insurer or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the tenant<\/span> make available a copy of the insurance policy. Such summary or certificate shall include a statement regarding whether the insurance policy contains a waiver<\/span> of subrogation provision. Any failure of the landlord<\/span> to provide such summary or certificate, or to make available a copy of the insurance policy, shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf the rental agreement<\/span> does not require the tenant<\/span> to obtain renter’s insurance, the landlord<\/span> shall provide a written notice<\/span> to the tenant<\/span>, prior to the execution of the rental agreement<\/span>, stating that (i) the landlord<\/span> is not responsible for the tenant<\/span>’s personal property, (ii) the landlord<\/span>’s insurance coverage does not cover the tenant<\/span>’s personal property, and (iii) if the tenant<\/span> wishes to protect his personal property, he should obtain renter’s insurance. The notice shall inform the tenant<\/span> that any such renter’s insurance obtained by the tenant<\/span> does not cover flood damage and advise the tenant<\/span> to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or visit the websites for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Flood Risk Information System to obtain information regarding whether the property is located in a special flood hazard area. Any failure of the landlord<\/span> to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement<\/span>. If the tenant<\/span> requests translation of the notice from the English language to another language, the landlord<\/span> may assist the tenant<\/span> in obtaining a translator or refer the tenant<\/span> to an electronic translation service. In doing so, the landlord<\/span> shall not be deemed to have breached any of his obligations under this chapter or otherwise become liable for any inaccuracies in the translation. The landlord<\/span> shall not charge a fee for such assistance or referral. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the landlord<\/span> from recovering from the tenant<\/span>, as part of the rent<\/span>, the tenant<\/span>’s prorated share of the actual costs of other insurance coverages provided by the landlord<\/span> relative to the premises<\/span>, or the tenant<\/span>’s prorated share of a self-insurance program held in an escrow account by the landlord<\/span>, including the landlord<\/span>’s administrative or other fees associated with the administration of such coverages. The landlord<\/span> may apply such funds held in escrow to pay claims pursuant to the landlord<\/span>’s self-insurance plan. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLANDLORD MAY OBTAIN CERTAIN INSURANCE FOR TENANT (\u00a7 55.1-1206)\n\nA. A landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have damage\ninsurance and pay for the cost of premiums. As provided in § 55.1-1200,\nsuch payments shall not be deemed a security deposit, but shall be rent.\nHowever, as provided in § 55.1-1208, the landlord shall not require a\ntenant to pay both a security deposit and the cost of damage insurance premiums\nif the total amount of any security deposit and damage insurance premiums\nexceeds the amount of two months’ periodic rent. The landlord shall notify\na tenant in writing that the tenant has the right to obtain a separate policy\nfrom the landlord’s policy for damage insurance. If a tenant elects to\nobtain a separate policy, the tenant shall submit to the landlord written proof\nof such coverage and shall maintain such coverage at all times during the term\nof the rental agreement. Where a landlord obtains damage insurance coverage on\nbehalf of a tenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant\nas an insured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of\nsuch insurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated\nwith administration of a damage insurance policy, including a tenant opting out\nof the insurance coverage provided by the landlord pursuant to this subsection.\nIf a landlord obtains damage insurance for his tenants, the landlord shall\nprovide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental agreement, a summary of\nthe insurance policy or certificate evidencing the coverage being provided and\nupon request of the tenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. For a\ntenant that opts out of the landlord’s damage insurance program, the\nlandlord shall allow such tenant to either provide their own damage insurance\npolicy or pay the full security deposit.\n\nB. A landlord may require as a condition of tenancy that a tenant have\nrenter’s insurance as specified in the rental agreement. A landlord may\nrequire a tenant to pay for the cost of premiums for such renter’s\ninsurance obtained by the landlord, in order to provide such coverage for the\ntenant as part of rent or as otherwise provided in this section. As provided in\n§ 55.1-1200, such payments shall not be deemed a security deposit but shall\nbe rent. The landlord shall notify a tenant in writing that the tenant has the\nright to obtain a separate policy from the landlord’s policy for\nrenter’s insurance. If a tenant elects to obtain a separate policy, the\ntenant shall submit to the landlord written proof of such coverage and shall\nmaintain such coverage at all times during the term of the rental agreement. If\na tenant allows his renter’s insurance policy required by the rental\nagreement to lapse for any reason, the landlord may provide any landlord’s\nrenter’s insurance coverage to such tenant. The tenant shall be obligated\nto pay for the cost of premiums for such insurance as rent or as otherwise\nprovided herein until the tenant has provided written documentation to the\nlandlord showing that the tenant has reinstated his own renter’s insurance\ncoverage.\n\nC. If the landlord requires that such premiums be paid to the landlord prior to\nthe commencement of the tenancy, the total amount of all security deposits,\ninsurance premiums for damage insurance, and insurance premiums for\nrenter’s insurance shall not exceed the amount of two months’\nperiodic rent. However, the landlord shall be permitted to add a monthly amount\nas additional rent to recover additional costs of renter’s insurance\npremiums.\n\nD. Where a landlord obtains renter’s insurance coverage on behalf of a\ntenant, the insurance policy shall provide coverage for the tenant as an\ninsured. The landlord shall recover from the tenant the actual costs of such\ninsurance coverage and may recover administrative or other fees associated with\nthe administration of a renter’s insurance program, including a tenant\nopting out of the insurance coverage provided to the tenant pursuant to this\nsubsection. If a landlord obtains renter’s insurance for his tenants, the\nlandlord shall provide to each tenant, prior to execution of the rental\nagreement, a summary of the insurance policy prepared by the insurer or\ncertificate evidencing the coverage being provided and upon request of the\ntenant make available a copy of the insurance policy. Such summary or\ncertificate shall include a statement regarding whether the insurance policy\ncontains a waiver of subrogation provision. Any failure of the landlord to\nprovide such summary or certificate, or to make available a copy of the\ninsurance policy, shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement.\n\t\t\tIf the rental agreement does not require the tenant to obtain renter’s\ninsurance, the landlord shall provide a written notice to the tenant, prior to\nthe execution of the rental agreement, stating that (i) the landlord is not\nresponsible for the tenant’s personal property, (ii) the landlord’s\ninsurance coverage does not cover the tenant’s personal property, and\n(iii) if the tenant wishes to protect his personal property, he should obtain\nrenter’s insurance. The notice shall inform the tenant that any such\nrenter’s insurance obtained by the tenant does not cover flood damage and\nadvise the tenant to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or\nvisit the websites for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or for the\nVirginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Flood Risk\nInformation System to obtain information regarding whether the property is\nlocated in a special flood hazard area. Any failure of the landlord to provide\nsuch notice shall not affect the validity of the rental agreement. If the tenant\nrequests translation of the notice from the English language to another\nlanguage, the landlord may assist the tenant in obtaining a translator or refer\nthe tenant to an electronic translation service. In doing so, the landlord shall\nnot be deemed to have breached any of his obligations under this chapter or\notherwise become liable for any inaccuracies in the translation. The landlord\nshall not charge a fee for such assistance or referral.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the landlord from\nrecovering from the tenant, as part of the rent, the tenant’s prorated\nshare of the actual costs of other insurance coverages provided by the landlord\nrelative to the premises, or the tenant’s prorated share of a\nself-insurance program held in an escrow account by the landlord, including the\nlandlord’s administrative or other fees associated with the administration\nof such coverages. The landlord may apply such funds held in escrow to pay\nclaims pursuant to the landlord’s self-insurance plan.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 123, \u00a7 55-248.7:2; 2005, c. 285; 2010, c. 550; 2012, c. 788;\n2015, c. 596; 2018, c. 221; 2019, cc. 386, 394, 712; 2020, c. 998; 2021, Sp.\nSess. I, c. 427.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}