What do you need to know about the legal landscape for Arlington rental homes in 2026?
We have some laws from 2025 that are taking effect and we also have some new legislation that’s likely to be introduced that we need to talk about.
Remember that staying ahead of new laws and regulations is essential to avoid costly penalties, ensure compliance, and protect both yourself and your tenant relationships. Proactive research, regular training, and leveraging industry resources help adapt to legal changes efficiently.
If you don’t have time to keep up, make sure you’re partnering with an expert who can, like our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.
Arlington County has adopted its 2026 legislative package, and one of the noteworthy elements is new language supporting anti-rent-gouging protections, which could eventually lead to limits on how much rents can be increased annually. This is
not yet law, but it reflects Arlington’s intent to pursue legislation at the state level that would give localities the authority to enact
rent increase limitations or related protections.
This is currently a policy position and advocacy priority, not an enforceable regulation in Arlington. The state of Virginia does not allow for rent control or rent stabilization, not even at the local level. The County Board is signaling to the Virginia General Assembly its desire for anti-rent-gouging authority, which could result in future statutory changes beginning in 2026 or later.
Much of rental regulation in Arlington flows from state law, specifically the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) and related statutes. Several state changes passed in recent legislative sessions will be implemented in 2026, and continue to affect Arlington rental owners.
Under new state law, landlords must disclose all rent and fee charges on the first page of the written lease agreement. This requirement helps ensure transparency about charges such as pet fees or amenity fees.
Landlords who obtain a credit report on an applicant must now provide the applicant with a copy of that report within seven days, even if the applicant does not request it.
A significant new requirement applies to landlords who own more than four rental units in 2026. These landlords must provide written notice of nonrenewal of a lease to the tenant before the lease expires.
This change reflects updates to Virginia law that took effect in 2025 and will be part of the landlord-tenant regulatory landscape for 2026.
State law updates also include broader enrollment in eviction diversion programs, expanded lease termination rights for certain crime victims, and restrictions on processing fees unless landlords offer an alternative no-fee payment method. These changes help shape how landlords must handle lease terminations, evictions, and tenant interactions.
While not direct rental regulations, zoning and housing policy changes in Arlington affect the housing supply and development environment, which in turn can influence rental markets and regulatory context:
Recent amendments expanded adaptive reuse of office buildings, facilitating conversion into residential units, effectively increasing housing supply.
Changes to zoning continue to support multifamily development and adjustments for neighborhood needs, though these are land-use governance changes rather than direct landlord-tenant regulations.
Understanding these ordinances is important because they shape long-term rental market conditions such as inventory growth and neighborhood composition, which can indirectly affect management and regulatory pressures.
Here’s what you need to do and know to ensure you’re compliant heading into 2026.
1.Update Lease Documents for Mandatory Fee Disclosure
Virginia law now requires that all rent amounts and fees must be listed on the first page of the lease. This includes pet fees, amenity fees, parking fees, management fees, and non-optional service charges. Review your lease templates and move all fees, rent breakdowns, and recurring charges to page one. Ensure wording is clear and consistent.
2.Add a Process for Providing Applicants Copies of Their Credit Report
Landlords must provide every rental applicant with a copy of the credit report used in screening.
Deliver it within seven days of receiving the report, even if the applicant does not ask. This should be part of your standard tenant screening process. Save each credit report and email the applicant a copy with a time-stamped note saying it is provided under Virginia law. Document delivery for compliance.
3.Build a Notice Procedure for Nonrenewal (For Owners of More Than Four Units)
If you own more than four rental units, you now must provide written notice if you do not intend to renew a tenant’s lease. Deliver the notice before the lease ends, using the method specified in the lease (be that mail, email, posting). Establish a calendar process so that lease expirations trigger a reminder 60–90 days before renewal. Make sure your lease templates allow email delivery if you prefer that channel.
4.Review Your Application, Screening, and Fee Policies
Recent state laws expand tenant protections related to screening fees, application transparency, and alternative payment methods. Check that your application fee does not exceed Virginia’s legal limit, you offer a no-fee payment method for screening or application payments if required, and that all required disclosures appear in your application and lease packages.
5. Monitor Arlington’s Push for Anti-Rent-Gouging Authority
Arlington County is advocating for legislation in 2026 that would give local governments the authority to set limits on excessive rent increases. Track the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session (January–March) and be prepared for potential requirements in the future such as notice periods for larger rent increases, caps on annual rent increases tied to CPI or another formula, and mandatory rent increase disclosures.
For now, no rent control exists, but owners should stay informed because this topic is moving.
6. Monitor Zoning Updates That Affect the Rental Landscape
Arlington continues to adjust zoning rules affecting residential density, multifamily construction, and adaptive reuse projects (such as office-to-residential conversions). These changes can indirectly impact market rents and competition. Subscribe to:
This helps you anticipate new supply entering the market.
7.Audit Your Move-In/Move-Out Procedures for Compliance
Virginia’s landlord-tenant law has strengthened requirements related to security deposit itemization, tenant rights during inspection, delivery of termination notices, and eviction diversion program participation in certain cases. With this in mind, make sure your current procedures include documented move-in condition reports, a consistent deposit deduction format, and written notice templates for nonrenewal, termination, and violations.
8.Update Your Application Communication Templates
To comply with new transparency and notice requirements, update your standard applicant communications to include:
This reduces liability and enhances professionalism.
9. Review Marketing Materials for Accuracy and Fee Alignment
Since you must disclose all fees clearly, ensure your
marketing aligns with your lease. Check that your online listings match your lease in terms of pet fees, parking charges, amenity fees, required deposits, and any utilities the tenant is responsible for.
Consistency reduces disputes and regulatory risk.
Professional property management in Arlington plays a critical role in minimizing an owner’s risk and ensuring full compliance with Virginia’s evolving state and local regulations. With frequent legislative updates affecting leasing procedures, disclosures, notices, and tenant protections,
self-managing landlords can unintentionally expose themselves to legal and financial liabilities.
A qualified property management team like ours monitors regulatory changes, implements compliant lease documents, and enforces consistent processes for screening, notices, and documentation. We also reduce risk through thorough tenant vetting,
proactive maintenance, and timely response to issues. For Arlington owners, professional management provides a structured, compliant operating framework that
protects both the property and long-term investment performance.
With more legislative movement, especially around rent-increase oversight, we have found that landlords and property owners increasingly need our professional management services to:
We are always keeping a close eye on how things are shaking out legislatively. Whether it’s the growing drumbeat towards rent control or additional documentation that we’re already in the practice of providing, we’re staying one step ahead of the next rental regulations. That’s good for you, and it’s good for your property.
Let’s talk about it. Contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.
