Virginia Eviction Notice
Create a free Virginia eviction notice with the state's required notice periods built in. Pick the notice type, fill in the details, and download a PDF.
Virginia notice periods
Nonpayment: 5 days · Lease violation (cure): 21 days · No-cause termination: 30 days.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ Virginia requires a 5-day notice for a notice to pay rent or quit; the count runs from the date of SERVICE, and some states exclude weekends/holidays — verify before relying on a date. Five days' written notice to pay rent or quit before the landlord may terminate and proceed to obtain possession (Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F); the parallel five-day rule for nonresidential/non-VRLTA possession is § 55.1-1415). NOTE: Virginia previously required a 14-day pay-or-quit notice (a temporary COVID-era reform); the General Assembly reverted the statutory notice to five days, so the current consequential number is 5. The tenant also retains a statutory right of redemption — paying all rent, costs, and fees (or, for repeat cases, at least 48 hours before a scheduled eviction) cancels the action (§ 55.1-1250).
Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Virginia)
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and unpaid in the amount of $________. This amount is for unpaid RENT only and excludes late fees, utilities, and other charges unless your state and lease allow them.
You are required to PAY the full amount of rent due within 5 days after this notice is served on you, OR to vacate and surrender possession of the property. Payment must be made to [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] at [LANDLORD ADDRESS], by cash, check, or money order. If you mail payment, it must be RECEIVED by the deadline.
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under Va. Code §§ 55.1-1245, 55.1-1250, 55.1-1253 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); § 55.1-1415 (parallel five-day possession-forfeiture notice); § 55.1-1202 (manner of notice).
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
This notice is given without waiving, and the landlord expressly reserves, all other rights and remedies, including the right to recover unpaid rent and damages.
How this notice may be served: Notice service is governed by Va. Code § 55.1-1202: served on the tenant at the tenant's last known place of residence (which may be the dwelling unit), generally by personal delivery or by mail. If the rental agreement allows, notices may be sent electronically, but a tenant may elect paper; the sender should retain proof of delivery. For the formal unlawful-detainer summons stage (not the pre-suit notice), § 8.01-296 service rules (personal service or posting plus mailing) apply. The pre-suit pay-or-quit / cure notice itself is a § 55.1-1202 written notice.
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. Notice periods, wording, and service rules vary by state and city. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court.
Virginia Eviction Notice Requirements
In Virginia, a landlord must serve a written notice before filing for eviction under Va. Code §§ 55.1-1245, 55.1-1250, 55.1-1253 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); § 55.1-1415 (parallel five-day possession-forfeiture notice); § 55.1-1202 (manner of notice). The required notice period depends on the reason:
- Nonpayment of rent: 5-day notice to pay or quit. Five days' written notice to pay rent or quit before the landlord may terminate and proceed to obtain possession (Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F); the parallel five-day rule for nonresidential/non-VRLTA possession is § 55.1-1415). NOTE: Virginia previously required a 14-day pay-or-quit notice (a temporary COVID-era reform); the General Assembly reverted the statutory notice to five days, so the current consequential number is 5. The tenant also retains a statutory right of redemption — paying all rent, costs, and fees (or, for repeat cases, at least 48 hours before a scheduled eviction) cancels the action (§ 55.1-1250).
- Curable lease violation: 21-day notice to cure or quit. For a remediable lease violation, Virginia uses the "21/30" rule under § 55.1-1245(A): the landlord serves written notice specifying the breach, giving the tenant 21 days to remedy it, and stating that if the breach is not cured within 21 days the rental agreement will terminate on a date not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice. So the tenant has 21 days to cure; if uncured, termination occurs at the 30-day mark. The CRITICAL cure window is 21 days. (Subsection (B) confirms that if the tenant adequately remedies the breach before the date specified, the agreement does not terminate.)
- No-cause termination (month-to-month): 30-day notice. A month-to-month tenancy may be terminated without cause by either party with at least 30 days' written notice prior to the next rent due date (§ 55.1-1253). A week-to-week tenancy requires at least 7 days' notice prior to the next rent due date. The rental agreement may specify a different notice period. No statewide just-cause limit applies, so a 30-day no-cause notice is generally sufficient to end a periodic tenancy.
Service: Notice service is governed by Va. Code § 55.1-1202: served on the tenant at the tenant's last known place of residence (which may be the dwelling unit), generally by personal delivery or by mail. If the rental agreement allows, notices may be sent electronically, but a tenant may elect paper; the sender should retain proof of delivery. For the formal unlawful-detainer summons stage (not the pre-suit notice), § 8.01-296 service rules (personal service or posting plus mailing) apply. The pre-suit pay-or-quit / cure notice itself is a § 55.1-1202 written notice.
- Nonpayment: 5 days' written pay-or-quit notice before terminating (Va. Code 55.1-1245(F)). Virginia reverted from the temporary 14-day COVID-era notice back to 5 days.
- Remediable lease violation: '21/30' rule -- 21 days to cure; if uncured, the tenancy terminates no sooner than 30 days after the tenant receives notice (55.1-1245(A), with (B) confirming a timely cure preserves the tenancy).
- Incurable/non-remediable breach: at least 30 days' unconditional termination notice (55.1-1245(C)). A repeat (intentional subsequent) breach of like nature after a prior cure also gets a not-less-than-30-day notice (55.1-1245(E)).
- Criminal or willful act that is not remediable and threatens health or safety (or illegal drug activity): landlord may terminate IMMEDIATELY with no cure period (55.1-1245(C)).
- No-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy: 30 days' notice prior to the next rent due date; week-to-week: 7 days (55.1-1253). Virginia has no statewide just-cause eviction law and preempts local rent/eviction control.
- Tenant retains a right of redemption: paying all rent, fees, and costs (for repeat nonpayment, at least 48 hours before a scheduled eviction) can cancel the eviction (55.1-1250).
Virginia Eviction Notices by Type
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days notice to evict for nonpayment in Virginia?
Virginia requires a 5-day notice to pay rent or quit before a landlord can file for eviction. Five days' written notice to pay rent or quit before the landlord may terminate and proceed to obtain possession (Va. Code § 55.1-1245(F); the parallel five-day rule for nonresidential/non-VRLTA possession is § 55.1-1415). NOTE: Virginia previously required a 14-day pay-or-quit notice (a temporary COVID-era reform); the General Assembly reverted the statutory notice to five days, so the current consequential number is 5. The tenant also retains a statutory right of redemption — paying all rent, costs, and fees (or, for repeat cases, at least 48 hours before a scheduled eviction) cancels the action (§ 55.1-1250).
Can a landlord evict without notice in Virginia?
No. A written notice is required before filing, and only a court can order a tenant removed. Self-help lockouts are illegal.
Does Virginia require just cause to evict?
Virginia does not have a statewide just-cause requirement, though some cities may. A month-to-month tenancy can generally be ended with a 30-day notice.
Disclaimer
This Virginia eviction notice generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm Virginia and local requirements before serving, and consult a landlord-tenant attorney for contested cases.
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