How Much Can a Landlord Charge for a Security Deposit in Virginia?

Under Virginia law, a landlord may charge no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent as a security deposit for a residential rental property.

Example:

Monthly rent: $2,000
Maximum legal security deposit: $4,000

This limit applies regardless of:

Lease length
Property type
Tenant credit profile

Charging more than two months’ rent — even with tenant agreement — is not permitted under Virginia law.

What About Pet Deposits?

Virginia allows landlords to charge refundable pet deposits, but there’s an important catch:

👉 All refundable deposits combined cannot exceed two months’ rent.

That means:

A security deposit + refundable pet deposit together must stay within the two-month limit.
You cannot stack deposits beyond the cap by labeling them differently.

Non-refundable fees (such as certain administrative or pet fees) are treated differently, but they must be clearly disclosed and properly structured to remain compliant.

Why Security Deposit Mistakes Are So Common

Self-managing landlords often run into trouble by:

Using outdated lease templates
Copying lease terms from other states
Assuming tenants can “agree” to higher deposits
Confusing refundable deposits with non-refundable fees

In Virginia, intent doesn’t matter — compliance does.

What Happens If a Landlord Charges Too Much?

Charging an unlawful security deposit can lead to:

Tenant disputes
Required refunds
Loss of credibility in court
Delays or complications during move-out accounting

In worst-case scenarios, deposit violations can undermine a landlord’s position in eviction or damages claims.

How Mo Wilson Properties Keeps Landlords Compliant

At Mo Wilson Properties, security deposit compliance is built into our management process.

We help landlords by:

Using Virginia-compliant lease agreements
Structuring deposits and fees correctly from the start
Clearly documenting deposit handling and move-out deductions
Ensuring timelines and notices follow state requirements

This protects owners from avoidable legal exposure while maintaining professional tenant relationships.

The Bottom Line for Virginia Landlords

✔ In Virginia, the maximum security deposit is two months’ rent
✔ Refundable pet deposits count toward that limit
✔ Mistakes can be costly — even if unintentional

If you’re unsure whether your current lease or deposit structure is compliant, it’s worth reviewing before it becomes a problem.

Call to Action (Optional)

If you own a rental property in Virginia and want to ensure your lease, deposits, and procedures are fully compliant, Mo Wilson Properties can help you manage with confidence and clarity.