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.

Fredericksburg is in Fredericksburg City County and is among the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Fredericksburg offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Fredericksburg there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Fredericksburg is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,286, an increase from 19,279 at the 2000 census. The city population was estimated at 29,036 in 2019.

Fredericksburg is located 53 miles (85 km) south of Washington D.C. and 58 miles (94 km) north of  Richmond.

With its location just an hour south of Washington DC, the charming Virginia town has an important place in American history. It was the childhood home to George Washington, a major port during the colonial era and the site of major battles during the Civil War. Located near where the Rappahannock River crosses the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, Fredericksburg was a prominent port in Virginia during the colonial era. During the Civil War,  Fredericksburg, located halfway between the capitals of the opposing forces, was the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg and Second Battle of Fredericksburg.  These battles are preserved, in part, as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Fredericksburg is home to several major retail and commercial centers including Central Park and the Spotsylvania Towne Centre, located in Spotsylvania County adjacent to the city. Major employers include the University of Mary Washington, Mary Washington Healthcare, and GEICO. Many Fredericksburg-area residents commute to work by car, bus, and rail to Washington D.C. and Richmond, as well as Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties.