The Commonwealth of Virginia has passed HB 720 sponsored by G. Glenn Oder to address landlord and tenant with a definition of application fee, etc. and manner of serving notice to tenants.
This new law adds, among other things, a definition of "application fee." Application fees are now capped at the fee at $50, and provides that such fee is nonrefundable. The bill also defines "written notice" as notice, including any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed in or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic form or other medium, retrievable in a perceivable form, and regardless of whether an electronic signature is affixed. In other words, landlords and tenants can now give legal notice via email, Facebook or other electronic media, even without an electronic signature.
In cases where a tenant pays rent with a bad check, the bill also allows a landlord to seek an award of costs or attorney fees or the lesser of $250 or three times the amount of the bad check, draft or order as part of the damages requested on an unlawful detainer action, provided the landlord has given notice. The bill allows such notice to be included in the five-day termination notice at the option of the landlord. The bill contains specific provisions if the dwelling unit is a public housing unit or other housing unit subject to regulation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Renting in {Location_Name} may not be the same level of commitment as buying, but it is still a commitment; and it is important to make the best possible choice. Signing on the dotted line means that you are committing to a property for a defined period of time. Before you sign a rental agreement it is important to consider all your options.
You need to decide whether the property meets your requirements. Is it within your budget? Is it big enough? Is it in the right area? And does it offer you the lifestyle that you are looking for? These are all questions that you need to answer before you sign a lease. A lease is more flexible than buying, but it is important to remember that you are still committing to renting the property for a certain time period.
It is best to look at a number of properties in {Location_Name} and consider all your options before making a final decision. However, the sheer number of properties out there may make the process quite daunting. A good Rental Agent can help you narrow down your choices, so that you are able to choose the property that best suits your needs.
[Learn more.]
The Commonwealth of Virginia has passed HB 720 sponsored by G. Glenn Oder to address landlord and tenant with a definition of application fee, etc. and manner of serving notice to tenants.
This new law adds, among other things, a definition of "application fee." Application fees are now capped at the fee at $50, and provides that such fee is nonrefundable. The bill also defines "written notice" as notice, including any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed in or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic form or other medium, retrievable in a perceivable form, and regardless of whether an electronic signature is affixed. In other words, landlords and tenants can now give legal notice via email, Facebook or other electronic media, even without an electronic signature.
In cases where a tenant pays rent with a bad check, the bill also allows a landlord to seek an award of costs or attorney fees or the lesser of $250 or three times the amount of the bad check, draft or order as part of the damages requested on an unlawful detainer action, provided the landlord has given notice. The bill allows such notice to be included in the five-day termination notice at the option of the landlord. The bill contains specific provisions if the dwelling unit is a public housing unit or other housing unit subject to regulation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Renting in {Location_Name} may not be the same level of commitment as buying, but it is still a commitment; and it is important to make the best possible choice. Signing on the dotted line means that you are committing to a property for a defined period of time. Before you sign a rental agreement it is important to consider all your options.
You need to decide whether the property meets your requirements. Is it within your budget? Is it big enough? Is it in the right area? And does it offer you the lifestyle that you are looking for? These are all questions that you need to answer before you sign a lease. A lease is more flexible than buying, but it is important to remember that you are still committing to renting the property for a certain time period.
It is best to look at a number of properties in {Location_Name} and consider all your options before making a final decision. However, the sheer number of properties out there may make the process quite daunting. A good Rental Agent can help you narrow down your choices, so that you are able to choose the property that best suits your needs.
[Learn more.]
