VA SB48

Extends the mandatory waiting period for landlords to terminate a rental agreement due to nonpayment of rent from 5 days to 14 days after serving written notice to the tenant.

Applies the same 14-day waiting period when a tenant's rent check bounces due to insufficient funds or a bad-faith stop-payment order before the landlord can proceed with termination.

Amends § 55.1-1245 of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, with changes applying both to the current version and the version that will become effective after July 1, 2028, or seven years after the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency expires.

Landlords must still provide written notice specifying the nonpayment and their intention to terminate the lease if rent is not paid within the 14-day period before proceeding to obtain possession.