Update and Review of Virginia Landlord-Tenant Laws Affecting Residential and Nonresidential Tenancies, Recent Changes, Significant Cases, and Dispute Resolution Strategies

The laws relating to residential and nonresidential tenancies are very different, and the development of successful options and strategies for handling issues that arise in those landlord-tenant relationships depends upon an understanding of these laws and the different requirements.  Every year the Virginia General Assembly makes changes to these laws, and the 2025 Session saw a number of those -- all of which affected residential tenancies.  In addition to law changes, with the automatic right of appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals, there is now developing a body of Court of Appeals decisions in this area, with a number being decided in 2024 and 2025.  The program will provide an overview of the laws pertaining to both residential and nonresidential tenancies, will highlight the recent law changes and significant/recent cases in this area, and will offer suggestions and strategies for how best to approach issues and disputes in order to achieve successful outcomes.  

John Ivins and Alec Boyd, collectively, have more than 35 years of experience practicing in this area.  They will explore the complexities of handling these types of matters, addressing not only the legal requirements and approaches for solving different types of landlord-tenant disputes, but also addressing the various changes impacting the rights, duties, obligations, and remedies of the parties.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and discuss the differences in the laws relating to residential and nonresidential tenancies, with a focus upon recent changes including those arising during the 2025 General Assembly that went into effect on July 1, 2025
2. Identify the landlord and tenant's rights, duties and obligations established by the lease, applicable statutes, and controlling case law
3. Develop a better understanding of the requirements impacting the different tenancies through a discussion of recent cases, particularly focusing upon 2024 and 2025 decisions by the Virginia Court of Appeals
4. Develop an understanding of landlord-tenant litigation principles, with a focus upon statutory requirements, available remedies and rights, and possible defenses
5. Explore the various litigation and non-litigation options and strategies that may be available for resolving landlord-tenant disputes