State law preempts local rules
Virginia law supersedes local ordinances on landlord-tenant relations, so Arlington cannot set its own general leasing rules outside the VRLTA.
Source: Virginia Code §55.1-1201(opens in a new tab)
Arlington, VA.
Arlington is a densely populated Virginia county where nearly all net housing growth since 2020 has come from multi-family apartments and condos. RS Managed manages rentals here from its Bethesda office, for 8% of monthly rent.
- Virginia
- Rental license: not required
Photo: Arlington, VA, Alex Korolkoff / Unsplash
Who licenses rentals.
Arlington is a Virginia county. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) governs landlord-tenant relations statewide and preempts conflicting local ordinances.
Rental license for a home or condo
Not required.
No local rental license; Arlington County business license applies to rental income
Arlington does not require a separate residential rental license. An owner who collects $10,000 or more a year in rental income must obtain an Arlington County business license instead.
Source: Arlington County(opens in a new tab)Local rules.
What an owner renting in Arlington has to know, each linked to the official page.
Source-of-income protection
Virginia's Fair Housing Law bars housing discrimination based on source of funds, including housing vouchers, statewide.
Source: Virginia DPOR(opens in a new tab)Tenant relocation assistance
Landlords whose redevelopment or conversion of rental housing needs County Board approval must provide relocation assistance to displaced tenants under Arlington's Tenant Relocation program.
Source: Arlington County Housing Division(opens in a new tab)Rent increase notice
Virginia law requires at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect on a month-to-month tenancy.
Source: Virginia Code §55.1-1253(opens in a new tab)Metrorail service
Arlington is served by WMATA Metrorail's Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines, including Court House and Pentagon City stations.
Source: WMATA(opens in a new tab)State law.
Rules that apply across Virginia, not only in Arlington.
Security deposit maximum
A Virginia landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit worth more than two months' periodic rent.
Source: Virginia Code §55.1-1226(opens in a new tab)Security deposit return deadline
The landlord must give the tenant an itemized written accounting and any refund due within 45 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, whichever is later.
Source: Virginia Code §55.1-1226(opens in a new tab)Required lease disclosures
Landlords with actual knowledge must give written disclosures covering visible mold, unremediated defective drywall, and prior methamphetamine manufacture before the lease is signed.
Source: Virginia Code §§55.1-1215, 1218, 1219(opens in a new tab)Military air installation disclosure
In localities with a military air installation, landlords must disclose in writing whether the rental property lies in a noise zone or accident potential zone.
Source: Virginia Code §55.1-1217(opens in a new tab)Services in Arlington.
All six, from one local team.
- Full-Service Property Management8% of monthly rent. That's the whole fee — no admin line, no setup cost.
- Leasing & Tenant PlacementMarketing, showings, and uniform written screening criteria applied to every applicant. Under 14 days to fill.
- Rent Collection & DisbursementOn-time rent collection and owner disbursement, with a 100% on-time record across the portfolio.
- Maintenance Coordination24-hour maintenance response, vendor coordination, and routine inspections on every property.
- Licensing & ComplianceRental licensing, inspections, and lease renewals handled for you. Licensed in MD, DC, and VA.
- Owner Reporting & Performance TrackingYear-end records plus appreciation, principal paydown, and NOI tracked on every property we manage.
Renting in Arlington? Get a proposal.
Full-service management across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. 8% of monthly rent — that's the whole fee.