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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82736</law_id><section_number>55.1-1228</section_number><catch_line>Rules and regulations</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1200</reference><reference>55.1-1300</reference><reference>55.1-1311</reference><reference>55.1-1315</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Rental Conveyances</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="12">Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Tenant Obligations</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>, from time to time, may adopt rules or regulations, however described, concerning the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s use and occupancy of the <span class="dictionary">dwelling unit</span> and <span class="dictionary">premises</span>. Any such rule or regulation is enforceable against the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> only if: <a id="paragraph-296384" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Its purpose is to promote the convenience, safety, or welfare of the <span class="dictionary">tenants</span> in the <span class="dictionary">premises</span>, preserve the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s property from abusive use, or make a fair distribution of services and facilities held out for the <span class="dictionary">tenants</span> generally; <a id="paragraph-296385" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> It is reasonably related to the purpose for which it is adopted; <a id="paragraph-296386" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> It applies to all <span class="dictionary">tenants</span> in the <span class="dictionary">premises</span> in a fair manner; <a id="paragraph-296387" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> It is sufficiently explicit in its prohibition, direction, or limitation of the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span>&#x2019;s conduct to fairly inform him of what he is required to do or is prohibited from doing to comply; <a id="paragraph-296388" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> It is not for the purpose of evading the obligations of the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>; and <a id="paragraph-296389" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> has been provided with a copy of the rules and regulations or changes to such rules and regulations at the time he enters into the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> or when they are adopted. <a id="paragraph-296390" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A rule or regulation adopted, changed, or provided to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> after the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> enters into the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> shall be enforceable against the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> if reasonable <span class="dictionary">notice</span> of its adoption or change has been given to the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> and it does not constitute a substantial modification of his bargain. If a rule or regulation adopted or changed after the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> enters into the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> does constitute a substantial modification of his bargain, it shall not be valid unless the <span class="dictionary">tenant</span> consents to it in writing. <a id="paragraph-296391" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">court</span> enforcing this chapter shall consider violations of the reasonable rules and regulations imposed under this section as a breach of the <span class="dictionary">rental agreement</span> and grant the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> appropriate relief. <a id="paragraph-296392" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1228/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 680, &#xA7; 55-248.17; 2000, c. 760; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
