Bill to protect tenants, restrict landlords passes Virginia House

An amended version of a Virginia Senate bill that would require landlords to establish payment plans for tenants before they can be evicted passed the House on Friday.

Substituted Senate Bill 5088 would prevent a landlord who owns more than four dwelling units or has more than a 10 percent interest in four dwelling units from evicting a tenant until providing the opportunity to pay back rent through a payment plan. The payment plan would extend over a six-month period or until the end of the rental agreement, whichever is less. A tenant in a payment plan still can apply for rent relief programs.