Can a landlord need to charge higher rent from tenants of certain protected classes?

In Virginia, landlords cannot charge higher rent from tenants of certain protected classes. According to state law, it is illegal for landlords to discriminate against a tenant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, among other categories. Therefore, landlords are prohibited from charging higher rent to any group of tenants based on their protected class. What a landlord can do, though, is raise rent by the same amount for all tenants. This is to ensure that there is no discrimination, as all tenants would be subject to the same rate increase. However, the rent increase must still be considered reasonable and must not exceed the local or state rent control board’s approved rent increases or any other applicable law. In addition to protecting tenants from discrimination, landlords must also follow the Virginia Security Deposit Law. This law places limitations on the amount of a security deposit a landlord can request from a tenant. It also requires landlords to provide the tenant with a written statement of the terms and conditions by which the security deposit can be used within 30 days of receipt of the security deposit. Overall, it is important for landlords to understand and abide by Virginia’s laws and regulations on lease agreements, rentals, and security deposits. This will ensure that tenants are treated fairly and without discrimination.

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Can a landlord need to charge higher rent from tenants of certain protected classes?

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