RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia state senator is proposing new legislation aimed at slowing down the eviction process and giving renters additional time to catch up on overdue payments.
According to court data, landlords across Virginia filed close to 140,000 eviction cases between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. State Senator Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach says that number highlights the need for reform, especially as many residents continue to feel the strain of rising living costs.
Ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session, Rouse introduced a bill that would extend the amount of time a tenant has to pay late rent before a landlord is allowed to file an eviction lawsuit. Current law gives renters five days after receiving written notice. The proposed change would expand that window to 14 days.
Rouse says the added time could make a meaningful difference for tenants who are close to catching up but need an extra paycheck or assistance from rental support programs.
“In this economy, it’s critical that we do what we can to help people stay housed,” Rouse said in an interview. “Once an eviction reaches the court system, it becomes costly and damaging for everyone involved.”
Supporters of the measure argue that eviction filings can have long-term consequences for tenants, including higher housing costs down the road and difficulty securing future housing, even when unpaid rent is later resolved.
Not everyone supports the proposal. Earlier this year, similar legislation faced opposition from the Virginia REALTORS® Association, which argued that current state law already allows tenants to stop an eviction by paying overdue rent up to 48 hours before a court-ordered removal.
Those earlier bills were ultimately vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, who stated that existing law already provides sufficient protections and flexibility for tenants to resolve missed payments prior to eviction.
Rouse’s newly introduced bill is expected to be taken up when lawmakers return to Richmond next session, where it is likely to spark renewed debate over tenant protections, housing stability, and landlords’ rights.