Virginia Lease Fee Disclosure: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know

Virginia lease fee disclosure rules have recently tightened, requiring that all rental fees be clearly listed in written leases. This change is important for landlords and tenants alike, as landlords need to prepare leases properly and tenants deserve clear, upfront information.

Let’s take a look at the latest disclosure requirements, what needs to be listed, how these rules interact with existing rent, and finally, deposit regulations in Virginia. We’ll also cover practical steps that both landlords and tenants can take to avoid disputes.

What the New Fee Disclosure Requires

State law now requires that a written rental agreement include, beginning on the first page, an itemized list of the charges that the tenant will owe. The list has to show the security deposit, the sum of rent due during each payment period, and any one-time charges that take place at the start of the tenancy.

This rule also prevents landlords from collecting fees that aren’t listed on the first page or added later (unless both parties sign a properly executed addendum after the lease is signed).

This requirement applies to written leases, and it was adopted to make fee information more transparent and harder to bury in fine print. The law takes effect for leases entered, extended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

Landlords should also note that this rule applies to most residential lease types (those under VRTLA), including single-family homes, apartments, and managed communities. Using a consistent format for every lease helps reduce administrative errors later.

What Should Appear on Page One

Put simply, at least these three items should be shown on the first page of a lease agreement:

• the security deposit amount
• the periodic rent amount
• any one-time charges that apply

Landlords or property managers should write each item in plain language and show exact dollar amounts where possible. This way, it’s easy for a tenant to see the total move-in cost at a glance.

Adding brief descriptions next to each item (such as labeling “security deposit – refundable” or “ONE-TIME administrative fee”) can make the information even clearer.

How This Interacts with Other Virginia Landlord Rules

The current Virginia lease fee disclosure requirement does not replace other parts of Virginia landlord-tenant law. For example, Virginia law limits how large a security deposit can be. A landlord can’t demand a security deposit greater than the amount of two months’ rent. There are separate rules about how and when security deposits are returned and when itemized deductions are required.

Virginia also regulates certain pre-occupancy and application fees. For example, application fees for background or credit checks are subject to statutory limits and need to be handled as the law requires.

If you charge an application fee, make sure you’re within the amount allowed by code and that you document any third-party expenses separately.

Practical Checklist for Landlords: How to Comply

Below is a short checklist landlords can use to make leases compliant with the Virginia lease fee disclosure rules.

1. Create a clear fee block on page one of the lease that lists:
   • Security deposit amount
   • Rent amount per payment period
   • Any one-time move-in fees or charges included in the first payment 
2. Place this block near the top of the first page so that it’s visible without searching. This meets the code’s requirement that the itemization starts on page one. 
3. Avoid hidden or buried fees. Do not add fees later, unless you incorporate them through a properly executed addendum that both parties sign. 
4. Keep a copy of the signed lease with the fee block. Maintain records that show the exact text and amounts that were presented to the tenant at signing. This helps resolve disputes over whether a fee was disclosed. 
5. Review other fee-related rules that apply. Make sure security deposit amounts comply with the two-month limit and that application fees match statutory limits. Don’t forget to provide any required itemized notices for deposit deductions when a tenancy ends. 
6. Train staff and update templates. Update lease templates and train leasing staff to point out the fee block on the first page during lease signing.

Guidance for Tenants: What to Check Before Signing

Tenants can protect themselves by checking three things before signing a lease.

1. Make sure the first page shows the deposit, rent, and any one-time fees. If the first page does not list these amounts, ask the landlord to revise the lease so the block is present and complete. The law requires it.
2. Add up the move-in cost. Look at the itemized fees plus the first month’s rent to understand the total needed for move-in. If something is unclear, request clarification in writing.
3. Keep a signed copy of the lease. Save the signed version that shows the first-page fee disclosures. If a landlord later tries to collect an undisclosed fee, the signed lease is your primary source of evidence.

Common Fee Types and How They Are Usually Handled

Let’s review a couple of typical charges you’ll see in leases and how they fit into the Virginia lease fee disclosure framework.

• Security deposit: Must be listed on page one with the exact dollar amount. Do not accept a deposit larger than the statutory cap without checking the law.
• Rent: State the rent amount per payment period that the lease covers. This clarifies what “monthly” or “weekly” rent means in dollar terms.
• One-time move-in fees: Any cleaning, amenity, or administrative fees charged before occupancy or included in the first payment should be listed on page one.
• Application fees and screening fees: These are regulated separately and should be disclosed when collected; check the statutory cap on application fees.

Some landlords also charge optional fees, like for pet ownership or reserved parking. While these are not always required by law to be included, listing them on the first page (or adding them in a signed addendum) helps maintain organization and transparency.

Keeping Things Clear and Compliant

Clear communication prevents most fee-related disputes. Taking a few simple steps prevents miscommunication and misunderstandings. Be sure to:

• Put dollar amounts in the fee block rather than percentages or vague descriptions. Tenants should be able to calculate the total without further context.
• Walk through the first page at signing and highlight the fee block. A verbal walkthrough paired with the written Virginia lease fee disclosure reduces later confusion.
• Keep move-in reports, photos, and an itemized record of any deductions when the tenancy ends. That helps if a tenant disputes deposit withholdings.

Staying Ahead of the 2025 Rules

The new Virginia lease fee disclosure requirement aims to make fees transparent, consistent, and easier to find. Landlords should update lease templates and staff procedures so the fee block appears on page one. Tenants should always review the first page before signing and retain a copy of the signed lease for their records.

As of July 1, 2025, all new, renewed, or extended leases must follow this format to stay compliant. If either party is unsure how the rule applies to a specific charge, consult the relevant Code of Virginia sections or seek professional legal advice.

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