Laws & Regulations

Rental Fraud in Richmond, VA: How Common It Is, How It Works, and How to Avoid It

Rental fraud has become a persistent and increasingly sophisticated problem in Richmond, across Central Virginia, and nationwide. What was once limited to obviously fake listings has evolved into a wide range of schemes that exploit competitive housing markets, remote transactio...

Landlord Maintenance Responsibilities in Virginia: Legal Duties, Risk Management & Best Practices

Property owners in Virginia have both legal and operational obligations to maintain rental properties in a safe, livable condition. These obligations exist regardless of whether a property is self-managed or professionally managed, and they cannot be waived through informal agree...

The Virginia Smoke Alarm Gray Area: Why § 55.1-1220 Creates Legal Confusion

In Part 1, this series covered why professional property managers install bedroom smoke alarms regardless of legal requirements: insurance carriers expect them, fire safety science proves they work, and the cost-benefit analysis is obvious.Part 2 addresses the question that actua...

Why Every Bedroom Needs a Smoke Alarm: The Insurance and Liability Reality

When a tenant is injured in a residential fire, insurance adjusters do not start by asking whether a property technically complied with the minimum code requirements in effect decades ago.They ask three different questions:Did the property meet current industry standards?What wou...

Top 7 Costly Mistakes Virginia Rental Property Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Managing a rental property in Richmond and the surrounding counties can be financially rewarding, but even experienced rental property owners routinely fall into costly traps. These mistakes rarely stem from carelessness. More often, they result from informal processes, outdated ...

Smoke & CO Alarm Placement Checklist for Virginia Rentals

This page provides a practical placement and certification checklist for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in Virginia rental properties.It is intended as a quick reference for owners and managers verifying compliance and inspection readiness.For the broader insurance and liabilit...

Optimize Your Leasing Strategy: Smart Rental Solutions for Richmond Landlords

The rental landscape in Richmond City, VA, has become more dynamic than ever. As demand fluctuates and tenant expectations evolve, landlords can no longer rely on traditional methods to keep their properties occupied. With everything from university students and young profession...

Security Deposits in Richmond, VA: A Guide for Landlords

Even the best landlord-tenant relationships can fall apart over a poorly handled security deposit.Managing security deposits correctly is a vital part of successful property management, and getting it wrong can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. By mastering the ins and out...

Lease Enforcement Tips for Landlords in Richmond, VA

In the world of property management, the significance of lease enforcement cannot be stressed enough. It serves as the backbone of a stable rental business, ensuring compliance from tenants while safeguarding the landlord's investment.But what precisely does lease enforcement...

Legal and Optional Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities

Renters in Virginia have more than just the right to a habitable home—they also have legal obligations to help maintain it. These responsibilities are clearly outlined under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) and are designed to protect the living...