Virginia 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Formerly, the 5-day notice, updated to reflect Virginia’s new requirement of 14 days’ notice.
Landlords should use this legally compliant notice to inform tenants of the amount of past due rent owed and give them 14 days to pay rent or vacate the rental property, as required by Virginia law. Landlords and property managers can customize this form with tenant, property and payment information.
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When Is a Virginia 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate Required?
As of July 1, 2026, the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act changed to extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from 5 days to 14 days. Under the new law, landlords must give tenants 14 days to pay rent or vacate the property.
When a tenant falls behind on rent, Virginia landlords must follow the legal notice requirements before beginning the eviction process. The Virginia 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate allows landlords to formally notify a tenant that rent is past due and give the tenant the opportunity to pay the outstanding balance before the lease is terminated.
This customizable notice includes fields for the tenant's name, rental property address, lease signing date, itemized amounts owed (including rent, late fees, and other charges), the payment deadline, and the landlord's contact information. It also includes a proof of service section to document how the notice was delivered, whether by personal delivery, substituted service, posting, or first-class mail.
If the tenant pays the full amount due within the required notice period, the tenancy may continue. If payment is not received, the landlord may proceed with the next steps of the eviction process in accordance with Virginia law.
Features
- Virginia-specific 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
- Fully customizable with your rental and tenant information
- Itemizes past-due rent, late fees, and other charges
- Includes a proof of service section
- Designed to comply with Virginia residential landlord-tenant requirements
- Easy to create, download, print, and sign
Note: This form is intended for residential rental properties in Virginia. Landlords should ensure they comply with all applicable state and local laws before serving an eviction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Virginia Notice to Pay or Quit
What Is a Virginia 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate?
A Virginia 14-day notice to pay or quit is a written notice from a landlord to a tenant formally advising the tenant that rent is past due. It informs the tenant of the amount of rent due, when rent must be paid, and that the lease will be terminated if the tenant does not pay rent within the notice period. It is a required first step in the eviction process.
When do landlords need to use a Virginia 14-day notice to pay or quit?
Landlords must use a 14-day notice to pay or quit before they can end a tenancy due to nonpayment of rent. It’s a required first step before filing an unlawful detainer action.
How many days does a tenant have to pay overdue rent in Virginia?
Virginia tenants have 14 days to pay rent. As of July 1, 2026, Virginia law changed to extend the period from 5 days to 14 days. Under the Virginia Residential Landlrod and Tenant Act, tenants have 14 days to pay past due rent.
Can Late Fees Be Included in a Virginia 14-Day Notice?
Yes, late fees may be included in the notice to quit as long as late fee policies are in the written lease agreement. Virginia landlords may not charge late fees unless they are included in the lease, and late fees may not be more than 10% of the rent or 10% of the total amount due, whichever is less.
What should be included in a Virginia notice to pay or quit?
A Virginia notice to pay or quit must include:
- The date of the notice
- The name of the landlord and tenant
- The rental property address
- A statement that rent is past due
- The total amount of rent due, including a breakdown of unpaid rent and late fees
- A statement that the tenant has 14 days to pay rent or the rental agreement will terminate
- Instructions on how payments may be made
- Contact information for the landlord or property manager
How to Complete a Virginia 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate?
Landlords complete the Virginia 14-day notice by using the template and customizing it with tenant information, the property address, the date of the notice, the purpose of the notice, the amount of rent owed, landlord information, payment instructions, and the date by which rent must be paid.
Once the template has been customized, landlords deliver it to tenants and keep documentation of the notice.
How Should a Virginia 14-Day Notice Be Served?
Landlords must serve the notice in a manner permitted by Virginia law and the lease agreement. Methods permitted under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act include hand delivery, electronic delivery (email or rental portal), or regular mail. Tenants should review the lease to ensure compliance with all required delivery methods. After doing that, a good practice is to use multiple methods - for example, hand delivery, mail, and email.
Virginia Rental Forms and Templates
- Virginia 21/30 Day Notice to Cure or Vacate: This form can be used for Tenants that break the Lease for reasons other than nonpayment of rent. It provides details about the Lease violation and notifies Tenant to cure the violation within 21 days or vacate within 30 days.
- Virginia Official Summons for Unlawful Detainer: This is the official summons for unlawful detainer that Virginia Landlords use to initiate an eviction.
- Virginia Landlord-Tenant Act & Handbook: This resource provides Landlords with the complete Virginia Landlord-Tenant Act and outlines all rights of both parties.
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