VA SB373

Removes the requirement that tenants must pay unpaid rent into court before asserting a defense based on hazardous dwelling conditions in eviction cases for nonpayment of rent

Allows tenants to defend against eviction by proving conditions exist that constitute fire hazards or serious threats to life, health, or safety, including lack of heat, running water, electricity, sewage disposal, or rodent infestations

Creates a rebuttable presumption that landlord delay exceeding 30 days from receiving notice of a condition is unreasonable

Permits courts to terminate rental agreements only at the tenant's request, rather than allowing courts to independently order surrender of premises to landlords

Authorizes courts to order landlords to remedy conditions resulting from material noncompliance, replacing previous provisions that allowed courts to use tenant-deposited rent funds for repairs or mortgage payments