Virginia Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell
In Virginia, the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) at Va. Code Ann. 55.1-1216 requires a landlord who sells the rented premises to notify the tenant of the sale and disclose the purchaser's name, address, and a telephone number where the purchaser can be located. This AI powered guide explains how that disclosure duty works, how existing leases carry to the buyer, and how to prepare a clear notice, with attorney-review available for added confidence.
Introduction
When you decide to sell a rental property in Virginia, clear communication with your tenant isn't just good practice, it's the law. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA), under section 55.1-1216, sets out specific rules for notifying tenants about the sale and the new owner. This guide breaks down those legal duties into plain English, explaining how the sale impacts the current lease and what information you are required to share, helping you manage the process correctly and confidently.
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Key Things to Know
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Under Virginia law (§ 55.1-1216), you must inform your tenant about the sale and provide the new owner's name, address, and phone number.
- 2
The sale of a property does not break a lease. The new owner inherits the tenant and must honor the existing lease terms until it legally ends.
- 3
Before showing the property to potential buyers, you are required to give your tenant reasonable advance notice of entry.
- 4
Your tenant's security deposit must be transferred from you to the new owner, who then assumes all legal responsibility for it.
- 5
There isn't an official government form for this notice in Virginia; a clear, written letter containing all legally required information is sufficient.
- 6
To end a month-to-month tenancy in connection with a sale, you generally must provide a separate 30-day written notice of termination.
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Tenants should continue to pay rent to their current landlord until they receive clear, written instructions about the change in ownership.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell in Virginia, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell guide walks through them.
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Virginia Requirements for Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell
Statutory Sale Notification Duty
Under Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1216, a landlord who sells a rental property shall provide written notice to the tenant informing them of the sale.
Mandatory Purchaser Disclosure
The notice must disclose the purchaser's full name and address, along with a telephone number at which the purchaser can be located, to satisfy VRLTA requirements.
Lease Survives the Sale
A property sale does not automatically terminate a lease. The new owner takes the property subject to the existing lease terms, tenant rights, and obligations.
Security Deposit Transfer
The current landlord is responsible for transferring the tenant's security deposit to the new owner, who then assumes all liability for it under the VRLTA.
Reasonable Notice for Showings
Landlords must give tenants reasonable advance notice before entering the property to show it to prospective buyers and may only enter at reasonable times.
Month-to-Month Termination Rules
To terminate a month-to-month tenancy in relation to a sale, a separate 30-day written notice is required; the sale notice itself is not a termination notice.
No Official State Form
Virginia does not provide an official government form for this purpose. A clear, written notice that contains all legally required disclosures is sufficient.
Proof of Notice Delivery
It is critical for the landlord to retain proof of delivery for the notice, such as a signed acknowledgment from the tenant, a certified mail receipt, or a witness affidavit.