Virginia's New Rent Payment Law: What Landlords Must Accept Starting July 1, 2026

Starting July 1, 2026, every Virginia landlord covered by the VRLTA must accept rent and security deposit payments by check and money order, not just through an online portal, provide written receipts for cash or money order payments, and keep at least one payment option completely free of fees. The change comes from HB 1005 and SB 313, signed by Governor Spanberger in April 2026.

What does Virginia's new rent payment law actually require?

HB 1005 and SB 313 amend Va. Code §§ 55.1-1204 and 55.1-1208, the sections of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) governing rent collection. The headline changes:

• Landlords must accept periodic rent and security deposit payments by check and money order, in addition to any electronic method.
• A landlord cannot force every tenant onto a single payment portal if doing so blocks check or money order payment.
• A written receipt must be provided for cash or money order payments.
• At least one payment method must carry no processing fee.
• Any fee charged for other methods is capped at the landlord's actual out-of-pocket processing cost.

The convenient online portal many owners switched to can still exist, but it can no longer be the only door tenants are allowed to walk through.

Which landlords are exempt?

Almost none — the carve-out is narrower than many early summaries suggested. The duty to accept checks and money orders, the receipt requirement, and the fee rules apply to every landlord covered by the VRLTA, whether you own one unit or one thousand. The only exemption: landlords who own four or fewer rental dwelling units, or who hold a 10 percent or smaller interest in four or fewer units, are not required to accept debit or credit card payments. Everyone else must take cards too — and everything else in the law applies to everyone, effective July 1, 2026.

How do the new requirements break down?

What should you actually change in your rent-collection workflow?

If your system only accepts credit card or ACH payments through a single app, you have a compliance gap to close before July 1, 2026. Walk through these questions:

• Can a tenant hand you or mail a check or money order today, and does someone log and deposit it promptly?
• Do you generate a written receipt automatically, or does a tenant have to ask twice?
• Is your no-fee option actually free, or does it quietly route through a processor that charges the tenant?
• Are any fees you do charge tied to a real invoice from your processor, or a flat number picked years ago?
• If a tenant who insists on paying by money order also falls behind, does your notice process, including any 14-day pay-or-quit notice, still track actual receipt of funds rather than just portal confirmation?

Do owners need to overhaul anything before July 1?

For most self-managed landlords, yes: policies, receipt templates, and portal settings all need a review. Century 21 Accent Homes' rent collection is already built around these requirements, an online portal alongside standing check and money order acceptance, automatic receipts, and a genuine fee-free option, so owners under our management do not need to re-engineer anything to meet the new law.

Frequently asked questions

Does this law apply to all Virginia landlords?

Yes — the check and money order acceptance rule, the receipt requirement, and the fee rules apply to every landlord covered by the VRLTA, with no small-owner exception. The only exemption is for debit and credit card acceptance: landlords who own four or fewer rental units (or hold a 10 percent or smaller interest in four or fewer) don't have to take card payments.

Can I still require online payment for most tenants?

You can offer and encourage an online portal, but you cannot make it the only option. Tenants must still be able to pay by check or money order, and you must keep at least one fee-free method available to everyone.

What happens if I do not provide a receipt?

The law requires a written receipt for cash or money order payments. Failing to provide one can become a documentation problem later, particularly if a payment dispute arises around late fees or an eviction filing.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Consult a Virginia attorney about your specific situation.