VA HB848

Removes the requirement that tenants must pay all outstanding rent, late charges, attorney fees, and other charges into court before filing a complaint against a landlord for material noncompliance with the rental agreement

Tenants must still pay ongoing rent into a court escrow account within five days of due dates during the pendency of the action, but failure to make timely escrow payments is no longer grounds for automatic dismissal of the tenant's complaint

Landlords retain the right to pursue possession through unlawful detainer proceedings if tenants fail to make escrow payments and to obtain money judgments for all amounts owed under the rental agreement

Courts may order rent abatement for any rent paid, whether into escrow or directly to the landlord, in amounts equitable to represent conditions found to exist on the premises

Amends Virginia Code § 55.1-1244 governing tenant's assertion and rent escrow procedures under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act