Do tenants need to let landlords & agents show the property before the lease ends?

THIS IS A BIG “YES”!

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act:

Landlords (or agents) can enter to:
- Show the property to prospective buyers or tenants
BUT they must:
- Give reasonable notice (typically interpreted as at least 24 hours)
- Enter at reasonable times
- Not abuse access or harass the tenant

📅 What tenants are required to do

Tenants generally must:

Allow access for showings with proper notice
Not unreasonably refuse entry
Cooperate during the final part of the lease (especially when the home is for sale or re-rent)

🚫 What landlords/agents CANNOT do

Show up unannounced (except emergencies)
Enter excessively or in a way that disrupts normal living
Schedule unreasonable times (late night, very early, etc.)
Use access as pressure or harassment

🧾 Lease matters (very important)

Most leases—including ones used by brokerages like Mo Wilson Properties—will include a clause that:

Requires tenants to allow showings
Defines notice (often 24 hours)
May allow lockbox access with agent supervision

➡️ The lease can be more specific than the law, but not less protective.

Mo Wilson Properties has an orietation with its new tenants when they take possession that if they do not renew the lease, that we will be placing a lockbox and sign on the property 60 days before the end of the lease. We have had several tenants have amnesia when this time comes up so we will provide them a copy of the lease they signed. We have had success navigating with a challenging tenant. The landlord does not want a vacant property so we do our best to keep the cash flow coming in. Ask us how we do this?

Mo Wilson Properties

Wes Stearns

Associate Broker