LOCAL RULES

Virginia rental inspection report requirements

Your Virginia rental inspection report has 5 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • A written move-in report within five days
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The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets a move-in report deadline of five days, makes that report the record unless the tenant objects in writing, and lets the tenant attend the move-out inspection. Here is each rule with a link to the official text, and how to turn your walkthrough notes into reports that meet it.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionVIRGINIA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Richmond, VA
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

5 Virginia rules on your checklist, including a written move-in report within five days.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Richmond, VA
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Virginia requires

  • Within five days after the tenant moves in, the landlord gives the tenant a written report itemizing the damage to the unit that exists at the time of occupancyCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1214 (A)
  • The move-in report is deemed correct unless the tenant objects to it in writing within five days after receiving itCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1214 (A)
  • A landlord's written policy may let the tenant prepare the move-in report, or let both prepare it together; a joint report is signed by both, each gets a copy, and it is then deemed correctCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1214 (B)
  • When the landlord asks the tenant to leave, or within five days after learning that the tenant intends to leave, the landlord tells the tenant in writing that they may be present at the move-out inspectionCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (G)
  • If the tenant asks in writing to be present, the landlord tells them the date and time, and the inspection takes place within 72 hours after the tenant hands back possessionCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (G)
  • After the move-out inspection, the landlord gives the tenant a written security deposit disposition statement with an itemized list of damages, within 45 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is laterCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (G) ยท Code of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (A)
  • The deposit may be applied to damage the landlord suffered from the tenant's failure to meet their obligations, less reasonable wear and tearCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (A)
  • If the landlord finds more damage after the deposit disposition, the tenant may use a copy of the move-out report as evidence that it was not there at the move-out inspectionCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (G)
  • The landlord keeps itemized records of every deduction from each tenant's deposit for the preceding two years, and lets the tenant inspect them during normal business hoursCode of Virginia s. 55.1-1226 (F)

The move-in report

Within five days after the tenant moves in, the landlord gives the tenant a written report itemizing the damage to the unit that exists at the time of occupancy. The report is deemed correct unless the tenant objects to it in writing within five days after receiving it.

A landlord's written policy may let the tenant prepare the report, or let both prepare it together. A joint report is signed by both, each gets a copy, and it is then deemed correct.

The move-out inspection

When the landlord asks the tenant to leave, or within five days after learning that the tenant intends to leave, the landlord tells the tenant in writing that they may be present at the move-out inspection.

If the tenant asks in writing to be present, the landlord tells them the date and time, and the inspection takes place within 72 hours after the tenant hands back possession.

The deposit after move-out

After the move-out inspection, the landlord gives the tenant a written security deposit disposition statement with an itemized list of damages, within 45 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later. Damage is charged less reasonable wear and tear.

If the landlord finds more damage later, the tenant may use a copy of the move-out report as evidence that it was not there at the inspection. The landlord keeps itemized records of deductions for two years, and the tenant may inspect them during normal business hours.

From walkthrough notes to finished Virginia reports

Walk the unit room by room and note every item of existing damage. ReportDraft writes the notes up as a room-by-room report with each item marked and the damage described, so the move-in report can go to the tenant well inside the five days.

Use the Move-out inspection type for the move-out report: it becomes the record that both sides can rely on. Each report ends with signature lines for the landlord and the tenant, which a jointly prepared report needs.

Common mistakes

  • Giving the move-in report later than five days after the tenant moves in.
  • Not telling the tenant in writing that they may attend the move-out inspection.
  • Holding the move-out inspection more than 72 hours after the tenant hands back possession, when they asked to be present.
  • Charging for ordinary wear and tear.
  • Missing the 45-day deadline for the itemized disposition statement.

Sources

Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Next review due January 8, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.