Let’s talk about some recent changes to Virginia law that affect lease provisions.
House bill 352 and SB 213 amend the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) by altering the language it contains regarding early termination of leases by military personnel. These changes resolved conflicts between Virginia and federal law, and because the bills contain an emergency clause, they became law as soon as the governor signed them.
The new bills state that a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, may terminate a rental agreement upon receiving either permanent change of station orders or temporary duty orders lasting longer than three months. Previously, the new duty assignment had to be at least 35 miles from the servicemember’s rental unit, but this distance requirement has been removed.
HB 352 and SB 213 add an additional justification for a servicemember breaking their lease early. A servicemember may now terminate a rental agreement if they receive a stop movement order in response to an emergency that is effective for either an indefinite period or a defined period lasting at least 30 days. The emergency must also prevent the servicemember from living in their rental unit.
Communication is always key between the tenant, landlord and or property manager to create a win-win situation for all parties. Mo Wilson is a retired USMC who fought in Vietnam so we are very aware of our service members and how they are called for duty in an ever changing world.
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, often referred to simply as Arlington or Arlington, Virginia. The county is situated in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, of which it was once a part. As the nation’s first LEED Platinum certified community, Arlington County is a nationally recognized leader in creating a sustainable and resilient urban environment. There is a long-proven success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing stormwater, fostering environmental stewardship, and promoting residents’ health and well-being. With nearby communities in Crystal City, Rosslyn, and Arlington Heights, there are many cultural activities available.
Arlington County has a lot going for it. A solid public-school system, a healthy population, ample nightlife venues and accessible public transit. All of this makes the Northern Virginia county among the best place to live in America, according to a new report dated 2016. Arlington was recognized recently by Niche.Com as the “Best City to Live in America” in 2020. Along with being the home of the Pentagon, the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington National Cemetery, and the United States Air Force Memorial, Arlington County is home to approximately 216,700 people.
The topmost slot to live in Arlington County went to Bluemont, an Arlington suburb home to just under 6,000 people bounded to the north and east by Interstate 66 and North Glebe Road near Ballston. Bluemont received grades of A- or above in nearly every criteria, including public school quality, diversity, family living and jobs — with the notable exception of cost of living, which earned a C+. “Most residents own their homes,” noted Niche’s description for the neighborhood. “In Bluemont, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks.”
There are 3.41 miles from Arlington to Washington in northeast direction and 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) by car, following the US-50 E route. Arlington and Washington are 7 minutes far apart, if you drive non-stop .
