Just to pass along some info below:

On Wednesday, Governor Ralph Northam signed H.B. 1889 into law, including VAMA amendments. The bill sought to make permanent the temporary eviction procedures adopted during the 2020 special session to support housing stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the requirement for housing providers to offer tenants the option of a payment plan if they are not able to make their rent payment on time. The bill also sought to permanently extend the 5-day “pay-or-quit” timeline to 14 days.

After the measure passed the House of Delegates, VAMA was able to secure amendments in the Senate restoring a sunset on the provisions of the bill. As signed by the Governor, the bill simply extends the sunset on the bill by one year to July 1, 2022 rather than repealing it altogether. Language in the Commonwealth’s biennial budget already extended the sunset on mandatory payment plans and the 14-day pay-or-quit timeline through the end of the current state of emergency, which is expected to last for at least another year

Bad news : (

Here, in one of the "high eviction rate avoidance test cities", we already have to offer a payment plan. At least the tenant has to show cause for the non-payment & ability to repay. (If they did all that in the first place, they probably wouldn't be in court) When the tenant misses a payment, the eviction process picks up right where it left off -not started over.

What it ends up as is a delay of another month or 2 - if they don't make the first payment.

I wonder if this state-wide one is the same.

Guess I better look it up!

Thank you

I see it only applies to those who own 5 or more units.

I really don't know why the entire VRLTA doesn't apply to everybody.

Just makes it more confusing.

And it suggests that small-time landlords are less capable/professional.

I just assume it will be like this forever. Could be worse.