Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

tenant not leaving/not paying

I have a tenant who cannot make the rent. She gave me a written notice that she would move out of the property as of 2 weeks ago and she paid rent through the date she gave me May 8. SHe moved her bed and some furniture and all her belongings are still there. She has not paid one dime more and following the courthouse directions, i issued her a 7 day notice to get her things or they are abandoned. Am i correct that she does not get the 30 days to leave since she wrote and agreed that she would be out on May 8 and gave me the keys. Can I put her things outside like the courthouse advised? I have changed the locks already and told her she must contact me. She is very unresponsive though and tends to ignore all my communications. Can I take her to court for all this rent that i am covering and the time I am losing in getting a new tenant in there? it seems there are no laws to protect landords. Can you refer me to a legal citing that I can use to know I am doing the right thing? I cannot afford her to do this to me for much longer, i need the rent. thank you.


Asked on 5/16/07, 4:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: tenant not leaving/not paying

Sure, you "can take her to court" for all unpaid rents which are due and owing under the lease plus your attendant expenses/damages, although, if I were you, I would not under these circumstances dispose of her items of personal property before the end of the month.

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Answered on 5/16/07, 4:49 pm


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