Virginia Rental Applications Change July 1, 2027: Fees, Denial Criteria & Consumer-Report Disclosures
Virginia has enacted new pre-application disclosure requirements effective July 1, 2027. Landlords will have to disclose application fees and deposits, selection criteria, automatic-denial criteria and consumer-report information before requesting payment or applicant information.
The headline: Virginia's application process changes July 1, 2027
Virginia's updated Code § 55.1-1203 creates a new disclosure step effective July 1, 2027. Before requesting or collecting payment or information from a prospective tenant, a landlord must first provide specified information in writing or post it in a manner accessible to prospective tenants.
This is a future effective date. It should not be described as a requirement already in force in September 2026. The current version of § 55.1-1203 remains effective until July 1, 2027, while the enacted future text gives leasing teams time to rebuild application workflows now.
What must be disclosed before payment or applicant information
The future statute requires disclosure of application fees or application deposits and whether they are refundable; tenant-selection criteria; criteria that result in automatic denial; additional criteria that may result in denial; and, when a consumer report is used, the name and address of the consumer reporting agency.
The notice must also explain the applicant's right to obtain a free copy of the consumer report after a denial or other adverse action and the right to dispute inaccurate information. This is designed to move important screening information ahead of the point where an applicant spends money and submits personal data.
Application deposits still have refund-accounting rules
Virginia law allows a refundable application deposit in addition to a nonrefundable application fee. Under the current 2026 text, when an applicant does not rent the unit, the landlord generally must refund the amount exceeding actual expenses and damages within 20 days and provide an itemized list.
Because the statute has both current and future versions, property managers should date their procedures carefully. Do not apply the July 2027 pre-application disclosure mandate to a 2026 event as though it were already effective, and do not let future implementation planning obscure obligations that already apply today.
Why renters should care before July 2027
The future law creates a useful shopping checklist right now: ask what the application costs, which amounts are refundable, what income/credit/rental-history criteria apply, what causes automatic denial, and which screening company is used. Getting those answers before applying can reduce wasted application spending.
Applicants should save screenshots of advertised criteria and fees, the application, payment receipt, consumer-report notices and any adverse-action communication. When criteria change during the process, preserve both versions.
Implementation checklist for Virginia leasing teams
Before July 1, 2027, create one applicant-facing disclosure that is accessible before the application asks for money or personal information. Make fee/refund language consistent across the listing, application portal, property website and leasing-office handout.
Max Rental Tools can support a Rental Application / Screening Fee Receipt, Application Denial / Adverse Action Notice and Resident Communication Record. Those documents should complement—not replace—the required pre-application disclosure and federal consumer-report obligations.
Common questions
When do Virginia's new rental-application disclosures take effect?
The updated version of Virginia Code § 55.1-1203 is effective July 1, 2027. The current version remains in effect until then.
What will Virginia landlords have to disclose before an application?
The enacted future text includes fees and application deposits/refundability, selection criteria, automatic-denial criteria, other possible denial criteria, and specified consumer-report information.
Is the July 2027 rule already mandatory in September 2026?
No. It is enacted future law, but its effective date is July 1, 2027. Leasing teams can prepare now without describing it as already effective.
Official sources
Virginia Code — § 55.1-1203 current and July 1, 2027 versionsVirginia Code — § 55.1-1204 rental-agreement termsContinue your check
Use the state directory for current jurisdiction-specific rules, calculate the proposed increase, then prepare the appropriate rental document only after the legal-rule checks are complete.